The Kansas City Chiefs are taking swift action to bolster their wide receiver corps following a concerning injury to rookie WR Xavier Worthy during their Week 1 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers in Brazil. Worthy, a key piece of the Chiefs’ offensive future, suffered a dislocated shoulder just three plays into the game, casting uncertainty over his availability moving forward. Head Coach Andy Reid provided an update on Monday, stating that Worthy is actively rehabbing the injury, with the team adopting a “day-by-day” approach to his recovery. It remains unclear whether Worthy will remain on the 53-man roster or be placed on injured reserve, leaving the Chiefs to navigate a precarious situation at the wide receiver position.
Compounding the issue, Worthy isn’t the only receiver sidelined. Rookie WR Jalen Royals missed Week 1 due to knee tendinitis, and Rashee Rice is still serving a five-game suspension, further thinning the team’s depth. With only seven wide receivers currently on the active roster and a single receiver, Jimmy Holiday, on the practice squad, the Chiefs are feeling the strain. Holiday, an undrafted free agent, impressed during the preseason with contributions on both offense and special teams, but the team recognized the need for additional reinforcements.
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On Tuesday, September 9, 2025, the Chiefs made a strategic move to address this depth concern, signing familiar face Hal Presley Jr. to their practice squad, as reported by KPRC2’s Aaron Wilson. Presley, a 23-year-old undrafted free agent out of Baylor, originally signed with the Buffalo Bills following the 2025 NFL Draft but was released after their rookie minicamp. He then joined the Chiefs for their 2025 training camp, spending the entire preseason with the team. During his time at Baylor, Presley recorded 81 receptions for 1,048 yards and seven touchdowns over 39 games, showcasing his reliability as a pass-catcher. Notably, he played alongside current Chiefs WR Tyquan Thornton during their college days, giving him some familiarity with Kansas City’s offensive system.
In the Chiefs’ 2025 preseason games against the Arizona Cardinals, Seattle Seahawks, and Chicago Bears, Presley logged two receptions for 20 yards on five targets across 29 offensive snaps. Additionally, he contributed 1.5 tackles on 19 special teams snaps, demonstrating his versatility. While Presley’s signing may not generate the buzz of a blockbuster trade, it’s a prudent move to reinforce the roster’s depth with a player who already understands the Chiefs’ system and can contribute on both offense and special teams.
The addition of Presley also addresses the immediate need for bodies to run the scout team offense as the Chiefs prepare for their Week 2 matchup against the Philadelphia Eagles on September 10, 2025. With injuries and absences mounting, having a player like Presley, who is familiar with the playbook, provides much-needed stability. However, the corresponding roster move to accommodate Presley on the practice squad has not yet been announced, as the NFL’s personnel notice for Tuesday did not include his signing. This isn’t unusual, as the Chiefs are not scheduled to resume practice until Wednesday, September 10.
As the Chiefs navigate this challenging period, Presley’s return serves as a practical first step in addressing the roster alarm triggered by Worthy’s injury. While fans may hope for bigger moves, this signing reflects the team’s focus on maintaining depth and flexibility at a critical position. For now, all eyes will be on Worthy’s recovery and how the Chiefs manage their receiver room in the weeks ahead.