Yahoo Sports How Chiefs’ Xavier Worthy is learning from DeAndre Hopkins — even after practice
Kansas City Chiefs receiver Xavier Worthy has noticed something when he arrives at the team facility each day at 8 a.m.
Veteran DeAndre Hopkins is already there.
“Early mornings, out late,” Worthy said Wednesday of Hopkins. “So I’m just wanting to copy in his footsteps and just learn off of him.”
Though the bond between Worthy and the 12-year pro Hopkins is only a couple weeks old, it’s already produced a fresh routine for both.
Hopkins, whom the Chiefs traded for on Oct. 23, has already taken it upon himself to help the 21-year-old Worthy as he transitions to life in the NFL.
A lot of that comes after practice each day. Worthy said the two get together — with receivers coach Connor Embree — to go over film and discuss coverages they might face.
“We just have normal conversations, just talk. Like, ‘Oh, yeah, we see this’ or ‘He does this. When he does this, pay attention to that,’” Worthy said. “Just little details to look out for in the game.”
As of now, Worthy said he strives to end his days right around when Hopkins does at 5 p.m. That allows for the extra time after practice to study their craft.
The sessions have benefited Worthy as he’s navigated an up-and-down rookie season.
Monday’s overtime victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers provided some evidence of that dynamic on a single play.
On KC’s first possession, Worthy ran deep down the sideline and just missed a touchdown catch from quarterback Patrick Mahomes when his feet landed out of bounds.
There was both good and bad in those few seconds. Chiefs coach Andy Reid lauded Worthy for his football IQ, saying the receiver changed his path after the snap from an in-breaking route to a sideline sprint while correctly reading the defense across from him.
“He’s doing a good job. He just had that luck of stepping out of bounds there,” Reid said. “But what a great route.”
Mahomes was also impressed, saying he didn’t initially expect Worthy to find that particular opening.
“Obviously, you’re half an inch from scoring a touchdown or whatever it is — maybe even less than that,” Mahomes said. “He’ll learn from that, but I thought he did a great job on that play in general of recognizing the coverage and getting to the right spot.”
Regarding the catch, Worthy said he simply lost track of where he was when trying to come down with the ball. He described it as “just an unfortunate play.”
“It happens,” Worthy said. “Just gotta live it, forget about it.”
Worthy’s production has been mixed over the last few games. He had no catches against Tampa Bay on Monday on two targets. The week before, the Chiefs threw his way eight times, resulting in four catches for 37 yards with a touchdown and drop.
Mahomes still made sure Wednesday to give Worthy credit for helping the Chiefs offense. Each game, Mahomes said, Worthy’s deep routes have drawn defenders to open up the middle for Hopkins and tight end Travis Kelce.
“I promise you,” Mahomes said, “the defenses are respecting his speed.”
As for Worthy, he said Wednesday he’s less concerned with his own stats and more focused on what he can do to help the Chiefs win.
An example? Worthy hasn’t been happy with his blocking lately, saying he’s seen too many occasions rewatching film where he should’ve been better.
The way he sees it, “how I play without the ball is going to determine what I do with the ball.”
“I’m a guy that’s gonna clear it out every time (on routes),” Worthy said, “but when it’s a run play, just holding onto the block a little longer, or whether that’s going to crack a safety or running to finish ... you never know what’s going to happen. So little things like that.”
As far as receiving goes, Worthy believes his sessions with Hopkins will only make him better.
“Having a savvy vet in the room just actually helps everything,” Worthy said. “Makes it a lot easier.”
