‘Looks bad’ – Travis Kelce injures teammate and lengthy absence threatens to wreck Patrick Mahomes gameplan

Travis Kelce’s biggest contribution to the Kansas City Chiefs season opener might have been wiping out his own teammate.

For the second time in three seasons the Chiefs were beaten in their season opener, losing 27-21 to their AFC West rival Los Angeles Chargers.

Tough start

Kansas City Chiefs first six games

Week 1 – @ Los Angeles Chargers L21-27

Week 2 – v Philadelphia Eagles

Week 3 – @ New York Giants

Week 4 – v Baltimore Ravens

Week 5 – @ Jacksonville Jaguars

Week 6 – v Detroit Lions

Patrick Mahomes dazzled, and Kelce snagged his 98th career touchdown to close in on the NFL‘s exclusive 100 club for tight ends but an injury to Xavier Worthy leaves the Chiefs in an offensive hole.

Worse still is that the damage was done by Worthy’s teammate, as Kelce collided with the second year receiver during the second quarter.

As Mahomes took aim at Worthy on the Chiefs’ first offensive drive, the receiver and Kelce were running across the field in opposite directions, and they met in the middle.

With Worthy at more of an angle it was the receiver who bore the brunt of the hit, flying up into the air after Kelce collided with Worthy’s shoulder.

The 22-year-old got to his feet, but immediately left the field for treatment on the sideline, before draping a towel over his head and heading to the locker room.

After being ruled out of the rest of the game, head coach Andy Reid addressed the state of his first round pick from 2024 in his post-match media briefing, saying the full extent would be known after an MRI scan when the Chiefs return to the US.

Worthy had been expected to form a huge part of the Chiefs offense this season, with Mahomes spending much of the summer talking up the deep ball and a desire to stretch the field one again.

During training camp Mahomes had taken responsibility for improving the down-field threat from the Chiefs after career low numbers in 2024.

“I have to be better at throwing the ball down the field. Obviously, we weren’t good enough there.

“If teams are going to challenge us at the line of scrimmage, if teams are going to challenge us to throw the ball deep, we have to show that we can do that.

Getty

Getty

“If we can do that — it starts with me and giving guys a chance — I think it is really going to open up the offense and make us a better team in general.”

Alongside Hollywood Brown – who had 99 yards on 10 receptions from 16 targets in Brazil – Worthy was going to give the Chiefs the big play offense they have missed since the days of Tyreek Hill.

Instead Worthy is looking at an extended spell on the sidelines with fears of a problem with his collarbone or shoulder – in one video, a member of the Chiefs medical staff appears to mouth the words ‘Looks bad.’

NFL's Greatest......

Ranking the top 10......

Quarterbacks of all-time – Can anyone better Tom Brady?

Wide receivers of all-time – Does Randy Moss or Jerry Rice come out on top?

Running backs of all-time – Stacking Jim Brown, Barry Sanders, Walter Payton, Emmitt Smith and more

Tight ends of all-time – How does Travis Kelce compare?

With receiver Rashee Rice already suspended for six games, and rookie receiver Jalen Royals ruled out for injury – an absence for Worthy would limit the Kansas City options.

Mahomes shone in Sao Paolo, Brazil, unfurling eye-catching plays, breaking more NFL records and also courting controversy for his sideline collisions.

Kelce – playing his first football since announcing his engagemtn to pop superstar Taylor Swift – caught two of his four targets for 47, one of which was a 39-yard catch for the Chiefs second touchdown of the game.

It’s a defeat that could have longstanding ramifications, with the Chiefs expected to face their fierce serious battle in almost a decade for the AFC West title.

Next up for the Chiefs are the Philadelphia Eagles at Arrowhead Stadium in Week 2, with the two meeting in a repeat of Super Bowl LIX.

Mahomes and Kelce were humbled 40-22 in New Orleans, as the Eagles stomped all over the Chiefs dreams of a Super Bowl three-peat.

Seven months on the teams will meet again, the Eagles chasing a second win of the season after victory over the Dallas Cowboys – the Chiefs aiming to avoid going 0-2 for the first time since 2014.

Stay up to date with the latest from the NFL across all platforms – follow our dedicated talkSPORT USA Facebook page and subscribe to our talkSPORT USA YouTube channel for news, exclusive interviews and more.