A week off was supposed to be helpful for the Kansas City Chiefs’ overall health, but practices leading up to the team’s return in Week 11 are generating new injury concerns heading into an all-important showdown against the Denver Broncos.
The Chiefs take to the road after the bye in Week 10, and a matchup at Mile High is going to be tough, even at full strength. But on Thursday, the Chiefs added both Xavier Worthy and George Karlaftis to the injury report..
Specifically, Karlaftis, a fourth-year defensive end, is dealing with a thumb injury, one that first surfaced on Wednesday. He’s been limited in practice both days this week so far. As for Worthy, a second-year wide receiver, he was also limited in practice with an ankle issue that complicates the offensive picture.
Key injuries on both sides of the ball have fans concerned about how the Chiefs might look coming out of the bye.
Worthy is the latest injury for the Chiefs, and the wide receiver was already dealing with a long-term shoulder concern that requires supportive equipment to play after suffering a torn labrum in Week 1 against the Los Angeles Chargers. Worthy sat out the next two games but returned to play in Week 4 with some assistance.
Both players are important for Kansas City’s chances to come out of the bye with a big win against a divisional opponent. Denver’s defense is going to be a major problem for Kansas City, even at full strength, so the potential loss of one of its most dynamic playmakers is a major factor. Worthy’s deep speed forces defenses to respect the vertical dimensions, and it’s hard for any unit to completely account for the Chiefs’ wide array of weapons on any given play.
As for Karlaftis, the Chiefs are undoubtedly hoping he will be available and effective on Sunday. The former Purdue star is one of the very few truly reliable disruptors up front for the Chiefs, which is why the team rewarded him with a lucrative extension earlier this year. If Karlaftis had to sit out Week 11, the Chiefs’ diminished pass rush would have a hard time generating any real concern for Bo Nix and the Broncos’ offensive front.
The Chiefs will still practice on Friday, so further updates will come from head coach Andy Reid when speaking with reporters heading into the weekend. It also helps that both injured players have three full days before facing pressure to suit up and play against Denver. But given that the team is two games behind their opponent in a tightly contested divisional race, the Chiefs are undoubtedly hoping both Worthy and Karlaftis are feeling much better by Sunday afternoon.
