Fantasy Fallout: Xavier Worthy’s MRI Reveals Dislocated Shoulder

Chiefs head coach Andy Reid told reporters during the post-game interviews that Worthy would receive an MRI on his injured shoulder once they returned home. NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport broke the news of Worthy’s dislocated shoulder, noting that he could return later this season wearing a brace. Rapsheet also noted that surgery is on the table as well. Worthy was expected to be an integral part of the Chiefs’ game plan this season. With Rashee Rice suspended for the first six games, Worthy stepped into the WR1 role.

With Rice now missing time, Worthy managers and other fantasy managers need to know who to target next. Marquise “Hollywood” Brown will be “next man up” on the depth chart to see an increased workload for the Chiefs. Brown saw 16 targets against the Chargers in Week 1, posting 99 yards on 10 receptions. That kind of volume is great for PPR formats.

Another player that could see an added boost in fantasy value is WR Tyquan Thornton. Thornton saw added work as a deep threat once Xavier Worthy went down, though he and Patrick Mahomes were not able to connect on many of the attempts. Thornton caught two of his four passes for 41 yards and averaged 20.5 yards per reception in the game. Juju Smith-Schuster could also be another target for fantasy managers, though his ceiling is the most limited of the three. Schuster finished second on the team in targets with five, one more than Travis Kelce (4). He also caught every target for 55 yards on the night.

Of the three receivers, Brown is rostered the most at 50%, according to ESPN fantasy leagues. Both Thornton and Schuster are on the waiver wire for free (rostered in less than one percent), so if you want to take a dart throw at one of those guys behind Brown, there is less risk. It is unfortunate to lose Worthy so early in the season. Now, fantasy managers have to hope the worst-case scenario of surgery does not end Worthy’s season before it even begins.