Chiefs suffer crushing Xavier Worthy setback ahead of primetime Giants clash

The Kansas City Chiefs were hoping that the shoulder injury that forced wide receiver Xavier Worthy to sit out essentially all of Weeks 1 and 2 entirely was ready to go. But as Week 3 has come into view, it sounds as if Kansas City is preparing to compete without him. That's a deflating gut-punch for an offense that could use some good news.

NFL reporter Dianna Russini has word that Worthy is not expected to play for the Chiefs in Week 3 despite recent reports trending otherwise.

The Chiefs are scheduled to visit the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium on Sunday Night Football, yet another primetime exhibition in a season filled with such showcases. Unfortunately for the Chiefs and the league's broadcast partners, watching K.C.'s offense isn't all that exciting these days, even with Patrick Mahomes at the helm.

During a Week 2 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles, the Chiefs offense looked anemic for the majority of the game. Mahomes himself was off-target on multiple throws. Travis Kelce bobbled a touchdown pass that ended up intercepted in the end zone. The run game was completely stalled.

The Chiefs could use Worthy sooner than later, but it's clear he's not yet ready to return from a torn labrum.

All of which made Worthy's potential return to the field all the more exciting—and necessary. Worthy was last year's first-round choice, a deep threat receiver out of Texas who broke out near season's end and showed he was ready to shoulder a signfiicant load of the offense.

Unfortunately, Worthy collided with Kelce on a freak play to start the year against the L.A. Chargers and was forced to leave the game immediately. Tests confirmed he'd tore his labrum in his right shoulder, leaving him out for the last two games—and now it sounds like a third.

If Worthy is unable to play, then the Chiefs' only hope of any new help arriving against the Giants is in the potential playing time of Jalen Royals. Yet as the team's fourth-round pick this season, it's hard to imagine Royals playing a major part of the offense coming back from knee tendinitis that delayed his pro debut by multiple weeks. Royals finally returned to practice earlier this week.

The Chiefs will continue to update fans on Worthy's status, and perhaps another week will provide enough rest and recovery for him to take the field against the Baltimore Ravens in Week 4. But it's going to be another tough week for the Chiefs without their top two receivers—the other being Rashee Rice, who is serving a six-game suspension—in the face of what is already a frustrating season.