Worthy, dealing with a lingering hamstring issue, avoided the PUP list but could miss serious time this summer as the Chiefs prep for the regular season. The rookie downfield burner is expected to be eased into the KC offense once he’s ready to go, though it could mean Worthy will begin the season as more of a rotational player while Rashee Rice, Marquise Brown, and Justin Watson work as the team’s top three receivers.

Worthy will open camp with the Chiefs, but according to Palmer, the rookie receiver will “be eased back in.” Palmer said Worthy is healthy, but he isn’t expected to get “a ton of reps early.” Worthy was plagued by a hamstring injury for much of the spring, but it sounds like he’ll be coming along in the next few days/weeks. Worthy has a chance to contribute early and often to the Chiefs offense once he’s fully up to speed, and he would see his fantasy value rise significantly if Rashee Rice were suspended for his offseason legal troubles.

“He’s going to have to be ready to go,” Mahomes added, suggesting the team will thrust their No. 28 overall pick into the offense as soon as training camp starts. The team did a similar thing with Rashee Rice last season and saw that pay off to the tune of 79 catches for 938 yards and seven touchdowns in his rookie year. Worthy could see a significant role out of the gate, with Rice facing a potential suspension after this offseason’s legal issues. Worthy and veteran receiver Marquise Brown will both add an elite element of speed to an offense that has last explosive receivers since Tyreek Hill left for the Dolphins in 2022, which could lead to some high-scoring fantasy weeks for two guys who are going as low-end WR3s in fantasy drafts right now.

As is the case with all first-round contracts, the deal is fully guaranteed and includes a fifth-year option for the Chiefs. Worthy has recently been held out of OTAs because of a minor hamstring issue. The injury shouldn’t worry fantasy managers as long as he is ready for training camp. With Rashee Rice facing a possible suspension, Worthy could be in line for a sizable role to start his rookie season. His outlook will change drastically once we get a resolution to Rice’s legal situation. For now, he ranks as a volatile WR4.