NFL history shows why Xavier Worthy might actually thrive with torn labrum

The Kansas City Chiefs got some surprising news last Sunday morning when they found out that second-year wide receiver Xavier Worthy, who suffered a torn labrum in his right shoulder on the opening series of Week 1, was “looking good” to play in Week 3 against the New York Giants

NFL reporter Ian Rapoport broke the news of Worthy's quicker-than-initially-expected return, saying that the Chiefs' former first-round choice would be playing with the injury using a supportive shoulder harness.

Worthy's trajectory was a positive one following early timetable concerns that he would sit for quite some time due to the shoulder issue. However, he was listed as doubtful before Week 2 (before being downgraded to out) and returned to practice in a limited capacity before the Chiefs lost to the Eagles.

If “fully torn labrum” sounds like the end of a season, recent NFL history says otherwise. Let's look at several players who have dealt with the same injury to see what it might mean for Worthy's potential to help the Chiefs.

George Kittle, TE

The most familiar is likely San Francisco 49ers star George Kittle, who admitted his shoulder labrum is “completely torn,” and yet he continued to play through it with a brace as well. Kittle's productivity speaks for itself, although the tight end has dealt with other injuries that have kept him from staying on the field at times.

Dalvin Cook, RB

Minnesota Vikings running back Dalvin Cook stunned the Pittsburgh Steelers defense in 2021 when he went off for 205 rushing yards while sporting a supportive harness for a torn labrum and dislocated shoulder. It's notable that Cook not only made the Pro Bowl that season but put up another celebrated Pro Bowl season in 2022.

Jordan Whitehead, DB

The Chiefs witnessed Jordan Whitehead's ability to play through a torn labrum firsthand when they faced the Tampa Bay safety in Super Bowl LV. Whitehead decided to play through the injury with the biggest game of the year on the line, and he played 54 snaps on defense and special teams in the Bucs' dominant win over K.C.

Earl Thomas, DB

Ten years ago, star safety Earl Thomas played through a fully torn labrum for the Seattle Seahawks in a losing effort in Super Bowl XLIX. The Patriots won the title with a final score of 28-24, but Thomas was able to rack up 9 total tackles on the day despite playing through the injury. Interestingly enough, the Seahawks also had Kam Chancellor playing with a torn MCL and Richard Sherman dealing with an elbow injury in the same game.

Odell Beckham, Jr., WR

If we want to look at other wide receivers, like Worthy, a vet like Odell Beckham Jr. stands out for not only having a torn labrum, but having played through it for a decade. In fact, Beckham once stated that he suffered the injury in college and never had surgery to repair it.

Logan Wilson, LB

In 2022, Cincinnati Bengals linebacker Logan Wilson played against the Chiefs in Week 17—and the team's postseason run through their appearance in Super Bowl LVI—with a fully torn labrum. Wilson went down with the shoulder injury in Week 13 and missed three games, but found a way to return to the field and play through it as a vital component of the Bengals' defense.

The ultimate takeaway is this: the Chiefs' plan with Xavier Worthy isn't unprecedented. Players across positions have used braces and harnesses to stay productive and available for their teams. Given how desperate the Chiefs' offense needs its playmakers to return to the field, Worthy's willingness to play through the shoulder injury concern will be a big help. The only hope is that he doesn't aggravate any long-term concerns in the process.