How Chiefs’ Xavier Worthy looked in first training camp day with Patrick Mahomes

Kansas City Chiefs first-round rookie receiver Xavier Worthy finally returned to an on-field passing play with quarterback Patrick Mahomes ... then immediately had to go to the sideline again.

This was Wednesday morning during the Chiefs’ first training camp practice with QBs and rookies, and Worthy — after previously missing over a month with a hamstring ailment — had a Mahomes pass hit him the wrong way.

“Just a little finger jam,” Worthy told reporters with a smile afterward. “I’m all right.”

Mahomes appeared to be part of the reason Worthy didn’t sit out long.

After Mahomes went over to check on Worthy for a minute, he looped his arm back toward the practice field. The gesture could be deciphered even from far away:

It’s time to get back out there.

Worthy had some tape put around the glove of his left ring finger, then hustled back out to complete the practice.

One, in the end, he said was a good first step.

“Working my way back in today, it felt good just to be back out here with the guys,” Worthy said, “and just being able to play football again.”

It had been a while. Worthy sat out Organized Team Activities and mandatory minicamp over the summer months, which puts added pressure on him to acclimate quickly.

Mahomes acknowledged that fact during a session with reporters Tuesday, as he was asked how he hoped to “ease” Worthy back into the offense following his return from injury.

“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.”

The Chiefs traded up to 28 in April’s NFL Draft to select Worthy, with hopes he could help resurrect a deep-ball passing game that has struggled in recent years. Worthy, who set a new NFL Combine 40-yard dash record, said he understands the urgency of the next few weeks.

“I definitely feel like there’s no time to ease in. It’s all go,” Worthy said. “I mean, once you’re here, you’re here. So I understand definitely what Pat’s saying and just to build that connection with him. It’s going to be key here.”

The two combined for a couple highlights during Wednesday’s short practice.

On one snap, Worthy separated just enough from third-year cornerback Nazeeh Johnson on a deep sideline route, cradling the ball in with one hand before securing it for a long gain.

Worthy also received praise from Mahomes in the red zone, running inside and then pivoting back out on a whip route to clear himself for a low catch near the pylon.

“Good catch,” Mahomes yelled out. “Great catch, 1.”

Worthy went through the workout with a noticeable wrap around his injured hamstring. He reported that his leg was “getting better” while admitting he still was not fully healthy.

“Obviously still working my way back into things, but I’m here,” Worthy said. “I’m ready to work.”

For a day, that meant not letting a swollen finger keep him from the on-field reps he needed.

“It’s part of football. I know what I signed up for,” Worthy said of the minor injury. “So it’s just good to be able to fight through it and have adversity to fight through.”