Patrick Mahomes faces major Chiefs problem as injuries to Rashee Rice and Xavier Worthy expose receiving corps concerns
Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs have a concern before their 2026 season opener: the wide receiver room. CBS Sports’ Jared Dubin ranked Kansas City 29th among all 32 NFL teams at the position, pointing to injury concerns around Rashee Rice and Xavier Worthy. The Chiefs face the Denver Broncos on September 14, while Mahomes is expected to start after his knee surgery.
Dubin’s ranking puts the spotlight on a group that has not had much stability. “With Rashee Rice still looking hobbled after rehabbing his knee injury in jail and Xavier Worthy again banged up in camp, the Chiefs might be counting on training-camp star Cyrus Allen to be a real factor, rather than a mere curiosity. That’s a dangerous game to play,” Dubin wrote for CBS Sports.
He caught 42 passes for 532 yards and one touchdown last season despite playing through injuries. Because denver is the first test, that connection could matter. The Associated Press reported Wednesday that he has worked with the first team in camp after December surgery to repair torn ligaments in his left knee.
Speaking to reporters, he said he and Mahomes have spent the offseason working on their timing. I feel like when it’s time to play, we’ll all be ready,” Worthy said, via NBC Sports. Chiefs coach Andy Reid said Wednesday, “He’s going to keep practicing just like he’s been doing,” while explaining that the team’s work before the opener will include more one-on-one practice.
“Me and Pat, we’ve kind of been working this offseason and obviously the timing and stuff you need to work on. . . . The bigger news is that Mahomes appears ready to return. Doctors had initially suggested October as a possible return, but Mahomes moved faster than expected. He did not play during the preseason, but that was planned.
ESPN’s Dan Graziano has also pointed out that Kansas City had bigger plans for Worthy last year before a shoulder injury suffered on the third play of the season limited what the team could ask him to do. Worthy gave the Chiefs a reason to feel better on Wednesday.