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In his first game back from injury, Chiefs WR Xavier Worthy looked and felt excellent.

For the past couple of seasons, the Kansas City Chiefs‘ offense hasn’t been at full strength. A year ago, it was wide receiver Rashee Rice‘s knee injury that changed the optics and schematics of the unit. Early this year, Rice is out due to suspension and Xavier Worthy missed Weeks 2 and 3 with a shoulder injury.

Although Rice still can’t return until Week 7, getting Worthy back on Sunday was huge. Week 4’s win over the Baltimore Ravens, a 37-20 outcome, showcased an offense that hasn’t looked this good in quite some time.

Having a game-changer on the field made a ton of difference.

Xavier Worthy Details Week 1 Injury, Recovery Process & Return to Play

Fresh off a blowout victory, Worthy explained what happened in Week 1’s opener against the Los Angeles Chargers. He says he was eager to get back into the game in Brazil, but his first-quarter collision with tight end Travis Kelce simply left him unable to.

“When I got hurt, I was trying to get back in immediately but I just couldn’t lift my arm,” Worthy said. “When I got hurt and when I got back to KC, I was immediately trying to get back in as fast as possible. The coaches, they know how I am as a player. I mean, they probably held me back from myself more than anything. I was trying to get back out there at the same time; I never had no worries about me coming back.”

Worthy, who hadn’t ever missed real time with an injury before, found himself in unfamiliar territory. He describes the brief absence from play as “super tough” to deal with.

Now on the other side of it, he’s thrilled to be making an impact once again.

“I’m just happy to be back out there with the guys,” Worthy said. “Just being back out there, having fun with the guys. You see the videos in practice of me dancing and stuff like that, I feel like that’s what it felt like.”

Worthy on Week 4 Involvement During First Game Back in Chiefs’ Lineup

And make an impact, Worthy did.

In all, Worthy posted 121 yards and a touchdown on seven touches on offense. Four of those touches and a whopping 85 of the yards came in the first half of play. The Chiefs made a concerted effort to get their star receiver involved early and often, which set the tone for the game.

Worthy, who got tackled on the very first Kansas City play from scrimmage, sported a small brace to help stabilize the shoulder. He said all he needed was to “test it out” by taking a hit in a real game.

“I’m glad it just happened on the first play, so I could get it going,” Worthy said. “I didn’t have to play scared.”

The football conditioning aspect is another thing to work on. That should come in due time, especially for someone with record-setting 40-yard dash speed.

“I’m not going to lie, I was cramping,” Worthy said. “I’ve got to get in game shape, I’m not going to lie. I was cramping bad.”

According to rbsdm.com, quarterback Patrick Mahomes averaged 0.34 EPA/play in Sunday’s win. That’s an 83rd percentile mark. On pass plays to Worthy, that figure was a staggering 0.70. No matter how you quantify it or simply go by the eye test, his return was brilliant.

The Chiefs’ upcoming opponents are on notice with Worthy in the fold again.

Jordan Foote is a seasoned sports writer who covers the NFL for Heavy.com with an emphasis on the Kansas City Chiefs, New York Jets and Pittsburgh Steelers. He has years of experience publishing NFL and MLB content for Sports Illustrated’s On SI vertical, in addition to a background in NBA coverage for multiple outlets. Foote is a Baker University alumnus, earning his degree in Mass Media. He’s based in Kansas City. More about Jordan Foote