Chiefs give Xavier Worthy update, talk Super Bowl rematch vs. Eagles

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- While the Kansas City Chiefs gear up to take on the Philadelphia Eagles in a Super Bowl LIX rematch on Sunday, Head Coach Andy Reid and a couple of players took time to address some news in Chiefs Kingdom.

Perhaps the biggest news of the week, following a gut-punch of a Week 1 loss to the LA Chargers in Sao Paulo, Brazil, was the status of second-year wide receiver Xavier Worthy. While Worthy practiced on Thursday and Friday, still nursing a right shoulder injury, it doesn't appear that he'll take the field on Sunday.

"I'd probably tell you it's slim, but there's still a chance," Coach Reid said when asked about the possibility of Worthy suiting up against the Eagles.

However, significant progress is being made, according to Coach Reid.

"He's doing very well. Positive, all the stuff is positive," he said.

In addition to Andy Reid, fellow Chiefs wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster sang the praises of Worthy's work to get back on the field as soon as possible.

"Yeah, I mean, it says a lot about his character," he said.

"I mean, he’s a guy that’s been playing through injuries in the past and that’s something that he’s preached about. So, just seeing him out there, catching balls, moving around just shows that whether it’s a small injury or a big injury, he’s pushing through to be back.”

It's no secret that the Chiefs have a bitter taste in their mouths regarding the Eagles after Super Bowl LIX. Interestingly enough, Worthy was one of KC's top performers in the 40-22 blowout loss that never really seemed surmountable for the Chiefs.

However, Smith-Schuster said the Chiefs aren't letting Worthy's absence hold them back.

“I mean, as a whole, I mean, we’re expecting to just go out and start fast. Especially as an offense," he said.

On the other side of the ball, All-Pro cornerback Trent McDuffie says the defense is looking forward to overcoming challenges of its own on Sunday.

“Yeah, I mean it’s the NFL. We go against a lot of great quarterbacks. We go against quarterbacks who can run, who can throw (and) who can do both and I just think as an overall defense we always rise up to those challenges," he said about Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts.

If you ask McDuffie, a good way of doing that is getting back to the basics of what makes the Chiefs' defense elite.

"So, going into this game is just going to be more about us and being really good at the basics versus doing anything outside the box or anything too crazy.”

The Chiefs will take on the Eagles on Sunday, Sept. 14 at Arrowhead Stadium. Kickoff is scheduled for 3:25 p.m.