A rub route gone wrong took the sails out of the Chiefs offense three plays into their season opener.
Tight end Travis Kelce, who played a part in the mishap by colliding with Xavier Worthy instead of slowing a Chargers defender, shared his remorse Wednesday for causing his teammate's dislocated shoulder and discussed how it took him time to ramp back up in the aftermath.
"I'll take the most accountability myself," Kelce said on his New Heights podcast. "I wasn't ready that first drive, I ran into one of my guys and offed him out of the game. I literally took one of my players out. That's one of the most frustrating parts and it's hard to get your juices back going knowing you just hurt a guy. It's a frustrating way to start off the season, a frustrating way to start off the game."
Of his own route, Kelce added: "I'm supposed to be running my route at depth for Worthy. So, it's frustrating for me. I was trying to kind of set up my guy to be able to get into position, and it all just happened pretty quick. I just gotta be better, man. I'm 13 years in the league. There is no excuse for me running into my own guys like that."
Kansas City's offense struggled after Worthy departed, scoring just two field goals by halftime. Kelce was similarly slowed, with just a 10-yard catch before intermission.
"I owe my guy big time, man," Kelce said. "X knows it. I felt like s---. I could barely even f------ play the rest of that first half, but we geared it up once I found out that he was in better spirits than I imagined at halftime."
As Kelce alluded to, the Chiefs discovered some momentum in the second half. He was a part of that, catching a 37-yard touchdown after sneaking down the sideline inexplicably uncovered, though that was his only other reception on the night. As they so often do, Kelce and Co. had a chance to pull out a victory by game's end, but their wheels spinning early eventually came back to haunt them as they fell to Los Angeles, 27-21.
Worthy's recovery timeline is currently up in the air. Head coach Andy Reid told reporters Wednesday that the second-year wideout will not undergo surgery at this point, nor is he in consideration for short-term injured reserve.
With Rashee Rice suspended another five games for violating the NFL's personal conduct policy and fourth-round rookie Jalen Royals still battling a knee injury, however, Kansas City has more to overcome than the initial shellshock of Worthy's injury while the club awaits his return -- even if Reid's comments suggest it isn't something long term. At 0-1, with the defending Super Bowl-champion Eagles on deck, the Chiefs can't afford to slump.
Tyquan Thornton can hopefully fulfill the deep role as a Worthy-lite option, while JuJu Smith-Schuster will shoulder more responsibility than perhaps envisioned by Kansas City when re-signing him. Marquise Brown seems the obvious candidate to serve as Patrick Mahomes' top option, considering he fielded 16 targets in Friday's loss, but it would be a boon to the Chiefs if Kelce can deliver a string of vintage performances.
For now, the Chiefs simply need to find a way.
Reinforcements will come eventually, including the receiver Kelce has been beating himself up for accidentally taking out.
"I know he's going to take the league by storm when he gets back," Kelce said of Worthy. "The biggest thing is he's one of our best players. He's gonna take that step into being one of the best receivers in the National Football League."
