Chiefs’ Andy Reid gives updates on Xavier Worthy, injuries, Rashee Rice before camp

Kansas City Chiefs coach Andy Reid said first-round rookie receiver Xavier Worthy should be a full-go following a hamstring injury that kept him out of practices over the summer.

Reid reported Tuesday afternoon that Worthy was “doing well on his rehab.”

“He wants to get in there and go,” Reid said during the team’s first training camp news conference. “It was driving him crazy to have to watch. You don’t want to be the No. 1 pick, come in and be sitting on the bench and watching. He’s a competitive kid that wants to be in there, and we’re gonna get him going.”

The Chiefs traded up to take Worthy with the 28th pick in April’s NFL Draft. He had some highlights at rookie minicamp the following week before missing on-field reps during Organized Team Activities and mandatory minicamp with his hamstring ailment.

Because of these circumstances, Reid said the team would be cautious with Worthy during the first three days of training camp with only quarterbacks, rookies and select veterans reporting.

It can be grueling when fewer guys participate. Last year, for instance, receiver Rashee Rice vomited on the field his first day while trying to keep up with the pace.

Reid said there was no reason for the team to push Worthy to the extreme this week, given his circumstances.

“You just don’t want him re-hurting the thing and setting himself back,” Reid said.

The Chiefs still appear to be expecting a lot from Worthy immediately.

When asked about his plans to “ease” Worthy through the process of returning, quarterback Patrick Mahomes said Tuesday he didn’t see things that way.

“There’s no easing. He’s gotta be ready to go,” Mahomes said. “We’ve got a lot of competition on this offense. (General manager) Brett Veach and coach Reid did a great job bringing a lot of competition in. And Xavier, he got a lot of mental work in this these last few weeks he had during OTAs and minicamp. But it’s time to go now.”

Reid admitted that the next three days of practice often benefit rookies like Worthy, who can settle in before the entire team arrives Friday. Worthy, in particular, could use the on-field reps with Mahomes after he didn’t get those in summer practices.

“Just going through those routes and doing what he needs to do there will also be positive,” Reid said.

Andy Reid on Rashee Rice

Reid was asked Tuesday what he was expecting in terms of a potential Rice suspension. The Chiefs receiver faces eight charges in connection with a high-speed Dallas car crash from March.

“I haven’t heard anything up to this point,” Reid said. “So I just let all the people in charge do that that are looking over that part of it.”

ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reported earlier this month that, because of the ongoing nature of Rice’s case, there’s a possibility that the NFL could hold off on a Rice suspension until the matter is completely settled.

Rice gave his first public comments about the crash at a charity event last month, responding to a KC Star question while saying, “I’ve learned so much from that. All I can do is mature and continue to grow from that. This is a step in a better direction for me.”

Other Chiefs injury updates

Reid projected that four Chiefs players would start training camp on the physically unable to perform (PUP) list: cornerback Jaylen Watson (shoulder), defensive end Charles Omenihu (knee), defensive lineman Derrick Nnadi (triceps) and offensive lineman Joe Thuney (chest). Those players can participate in team activities but cannot practice until they are activated from the list, which can happen anytime.

Regarding Thuney, who injured himself during last season’s playoff game against Buffalo, Reid said the three-time All-Pro was “doing great. He’s close (to returning).”

Reid also said defensive end BJ Thompson, who suffered a seizure and went into cardiac arrest during a team meeting last month, would begin on the non-football injury (NFI) list. Thompson can participate in team activities but cannot practice with that designation.

“He’s doing great, but he’s going through some procedures as we talk here,” Reid said. “So he’ll keep going with that, and then we’ll keep you updated as we go.”