Chiefs WR Xavier Worthy’s shoulder injury might force Kansas City to make a key pivot in a specific phase of the game

The Kansas City Chiefs could call on another rookie to help in the return game in Week 2 against the Philadelphia Eagles.

Charles Goldman — NFL Managing Editor
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Kansas City Chiefs WR Xavier Worthy’s shoulder injury could force a change in plans on special teams, according to Dave Toub.

Speaking to media members on Thursday, Toub was asked about the return specialist situation heading into Week 2 against the Philadelphia Eagles. The big concern, should Worthy be ruled out of the game, is that the team’s wide receiver depth chart will be a little bit taxed. Remember, they’re already missing Rashee Rice and Jalen Royals.

“I really liked Tyquan’s (Thornton) return, and then obviously (Xavier) Worthy got hurt, so we had to take him out of that, (and) now he’s like the third or second wide receiver, so it’s going to be tough to use him back there now,” Toub said. “So, we’re going to have to dig down into our depth a little bit this week and have some different guys back there. Brashard (Smith), he had a couple nice returns. He had a nice one (where) he probably should have stayed in the endzone, fake the ball up the 35 (yard-line), but he got it out to the 35 (yard-line), so that was nice.”

If Thornton isn’t part of Toub’s arsenal on Sunday, which players could see more action? Based on his comments, Brashard Smith seems in line for a bit more work, but is there anyone else who could help the cause?

If not Tyquan Thornton, who else could get looks at return specialist for the Chiefs?

Nikko Remigio and Brashard Smith remain the primary return specialists for Kansas City; they’re both listed as one and two, respectively, on the unofficial depth chart. Still, I could also see another rookie getting involved if Tyquan Thornton is deemed too integral to the offensive game plan. Rookie CB Nohl Williams was a return specialist in college at UNLV before he transferred to Cal, where he returned 14 kicks for 294 yards and 11 punts for 74 yards. He also played some return specialist during the offseason with Kansas City. He only played special teams snaps in Week 1 against the Los Angeles Chargers. He’s going to be active on gameday and feels like a natural fit to contribute, especially after being a standout defensively during the preseason.

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