The Chiefs’ search for help at wide receiver got a lot more urgent on Sunday.
Kansas City is already in conversations about adding a pass catcher before Tuesday’s NFL trade deadline, and that push picked up after the team’s 35-12 win over the New York Jets when Xavier Worthy went down late with a hamstring injury. The severity of the injury is still unclear, and there’s no word yet on whether he’ll miss time, but the possibility alone has made the Chiefs even more aggressive about exploring the market.
CBS sideline reporter Tracy Wolfson said during Sunday’s broadcast that general manager Brett Veach had already flagged receiver as a priority before the game.
“As we’ve been talking about the lack of deep threats for the Chiefs, and I spoke with GM Brett Veach before the game, he told me that as the trade deadline approaches, the focus continues to be at that wide receiver position,” Wolfson said. “There has been increased dialogue this week, and he found that some of the major franchise players they looked at are off the market, but they will continue to have conversations over the next 24 hours to see if they can get something done by the trade deadline.”
With the deadline closing in, the Chiefs are expected to keep working the phones in hopes of landing another offensive weapon.
A few names have already surfaced in the rumor mill. Indianapolis Colts receiver Josh Downs, who requested a trade, has been mentioned as a possible fit for Kansas City.
The Chiefs are also rumored to have interest in Jacksonville Jaguars receiver Brian Thomas Jr., though Jacksonville has been more reluctant to entertain offers. Jauan Jennings has also been floated as a possibility, even though he may have told the San Francisco 49ers that he liked his new home with the Minnesota Vikings and is only on a one-year deal.
For now, Kansas City will lean on Rashee Rice as its top wide receiver. Travis Kelce remains the team’s receiving leader with 410 yards.
Worthy’s production before the injury gave the Chiefs another spark. Through eight games, he caught 33 of 47 targets for 278 yards and one touchdown. Against the Jets, he was perfect on his six targets, finishing with 48 yards before leaving the game.
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