Chiefs Coach Reid Gives Update on Xavier Worthy Ahead of Sunday Night Showdown
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Kansas City head coach Andy Reid spoke from the podium at team headquarters after Friday’s practice. The Chiefs will visit the Giants on Sunday Night Football
To view his comments, watch below.
Opening statement:
“Alright, the guys that didn’t practice today were Mike Danna and (Kristian) Fulton. Everybody else practiced and we will see how it goes. I know the questions will be Xavier (Worthy) and so on. I’ve just got to see. I mean he practiced today and did a good job, and (Jalen) Royals practiced today. Both of them ran routes pretty good. Anyways, we will just see how it goes.”
On what getting Isiah Pacheco 100 yards in this game would mean:
REID: “This is his home (New Jersey), so it would be great for the team and great for him
On Patrick Mahomes being on the injury report this week:
“He couldn’t even tell you what play it was. It swelled up a little bit and then – overnight -- and they got it down. He practiced the whole week and looked good.”
On Pacheco played through a torn labrum his rookie year (2022), and similarites to what Xavier Worthy is going through:
REID: “A little bit. They’re all different and you know that. It’s hard to compare notes on guys because everybody’s injuries are different, different spots. No injury is the same. We’ll just see how he does.”
On worries about Worthy aggravating the injury, and conversations with vice president of sports medicine Rick Burkholder:
REID: “I’m just gonna say we’ll see how it goes here. I’ve got to see – see how he did after practice here. I haven’t talked to him. I haven’t talked to Rick or him about it.”
On how Worthy looked at practice:
REID: “He’s done a nice job. He runs fast.”
On because the team doesn’t hit in practice, determining his contact level in the game:
REID: “I leave it up to the doctors and Rick. Whatever they say, we practice with them or practice without them. That’s how it goes. We don’t – whatever goes.”
On potentially getting both Worthy and Royals back against the Giants:
REID: “Both of them are good players. It would help with the other guys (wide receivers). I don’t want to take anything away from the other guys, either. They’re doing a nice job.”
Former Teammate Turned Rival Gets Real About Rams QB Matthew Stafford
Matthew Stafford #9 of the Los Angeles Rams in action against the Tennessee Titans.
Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford is in his 17th NFL season, and he has played as well as anyone so far. It is no fluke. Stafford puts in the work to be great, and former teammate Carson Wentz made it clear he believes the Rams’ QB is that.
Wentz, who is set to make a historic first start with the Minnesota Vikings in Week 3, spent the 2023 season as Stafford’s backup, getting into two games and starting one for the Rams.
In his short time with the Rams, though, Wentz gleaned plenty from Stafford.
Vikings’ Carson Wentz: Matthew Stafford a ‘Future Hall of Fame’ QB
GettyPatrick Mahomes #15 of the Kansas City Chiefs and Matthew Stafford #9 of the Los Angeles Rams talk before a game.
Wentz will become the first player in NFL history to start at least one game for six different teams in six consecutive seasons on Sunday, and his stint with the Rams alongside Stafford is part of that arduous journey from No. 2 overall pick in the 2016 draft to journeyman backup.
Wents, who spent 2023 with the Kansas City Chiefs, said it is “crazy” to hear about his upcoming accomplishment, but noted that his journey has given him a “different perspective.”
That journey included sitting behind “future Hall of Fame” QBs in Stafford and Patrick Mahomes.
“Getting to see it done at a very high level has given me some perspective. Also, just the perspective of not taking this for granted,” Wentz told reporters on September 17 as the Vikings began their week of preparation before facing the Cincinnati Bengals.
“You never know when your next chance is going to be in this league. The league’s hard. Two years ago, I was at home until mid-November. It’s not something I want to take lightly or take for granted. So, I’ve definitely got a lot of perspective both from physically seeing how it’s done, but also just the mental side of being appreciative and not wasting any opportunity.”
Wentz, 32, completed 70.1% of his passes for 163 yards, 2 touchdowns, and 1 interception during his lone season on the Rams as Stafford’s backup.
Ex-Rams QB Carson Wentz Praises Matthew Stafford Before Vikings Debut
GettyMatthew Stafford #9 of the Los Angeles Rams celebrates the team’s win against the Tennessee Titans.
Wentz said “yes and no” when asked if he was able to take anything from either Stafford or Mahomes and apply it to his game. He cited their “process” before and after the snap on any given play, noting that players prepare throughout the week differently.
He also noted how both play a very different style of ball but are “as good as it gets” at the quarterback position.
“Just seeing how they go about play calls and understanding the defense and processing quickly. Matthew and Pat are as good as it gets at their position and couldn’t play the game much differently, to be honest. And the offenses are very different, too,” Wentz said. So, I feel like I gleaned a lot from both in a very different way, that I think, hopefully, I can utilize this Sunday. And super appreciative of those guys and just how I was able to learn and kind of get to know those guys both on and off the field. So, hopefully, that’ll pay off.”
Wentz and the Vikings will not face Stafford and the Rams during the regular season, and would need a postseason matchup to square off.
Josh Buckhalter covers the NBA and NFL for Heavy.com. He has covered both leagues since 2016, including bylines at FanSided, Last Word on Sports and Clocker Sports. He's based in Villa Park, Illinois. Follow Josh on Twitter and Instagram: @JoshGBuck More about Josh Buckhalter
