There’s no denying that the Kansas City Chiefs‘ magic is currently running low. Coming off a two-game losing streak to start the season, the team’s struggles have left many confused, if not concerned. Why? One, this was the team’s first 0-2 record in the Patrick Mahomes era and since 2014 when Andy Reid was a second-year coach.

And two, the evident lack of chemistry between Mahomes and his longtime top target, Travis Kelce. Thankfully, the QB has another reliable weapon in his arsenal: Xavier Worthy, who’s unfortunately sidelined due to injury. But if it’s any consolation, there’s already a clear timeline on when fans can expect to see him back.

“Chiefs listed WR Xavier Worthy as a full participant in today’s practice, putting him on track to play Sunday against Baltimore,” ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported on September 24 via Instagram.

Notably, this will be the young wide receiver’s first game since Week 1. Worthy had reportedly dislocated his shoulder on the third offensive snap vs the Los Angeles Chargers after a tough collision with Kelce.

While Tyquan Thornton has served well during Worthy’s absence (and also Rashee Rice’s), already recording nine catches for 171 yards and two scores so far, Worthy’s return will be the exact boost the team needs. Mostly because old formulas have clearly failed to work…

Meaning: Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce’s faux pas under pressure can’t be overlooked. The first instance of this came during the Chiefs’ Week 3 clash vs the New York Giants. On the first play, the QB was seen overlooking Kelce, standing wide open nearby, and scanning the field to throw the ball to someone else. While the TE was eventually handed the ball, the brief confusion was enough for critics to sniff a lapse.

Then, on the second play, Mahomes threw the ball toward his trusted target again. However, this time, it shot past the latter’s right ear to hit a defender on the back and fall to the ground. “That’s playground right there,” broadcaster Cris Collinsworth had said criticizing the throw. “We made that one in 5th grade.”

What’s more, in Week 2 against the Philadelphia Eagles, the 20-17 loss was a night of torture for both Mahomes and Kelce. In the fourth quarter, when Kansas City had an opportunity to score, Mahomes threw a pass to Kelce in the end zone. Instead, it bounced off his hands into the arms of an Eagles defender. Expectedly, reliance on Worthy has increasingly taken shape. “It’s more than just … how fast he is,” Mahomes had himself admitted in December last year. “It’s just the confidence that you can feel in the route. As a quarterback, you can feel how he’s running a route, how he’s setting it up and getting himself open and stuff like that, and that gives you confidence to make the throws.”

Stats-wise, too, Worthy stands out. Last season in Week 11 and 12, the 22-year-old had recorded four catches each, taking the tally to five in Week 13 and 14, and six the next week. And if that’s not enough, by Week 17, Worthy was already leading the Chiefs with eight TDs (including three on rushing plays). He also led the team’s WRs and was only second to Kelce in yards (559) and catches (51). Additionally, who can forget the wide receiver’s 35-yard touchdown in Week 1 against the Baltimore Ravens last season, and 54-yard touchdown pass late in the first half vs the Chargers in Week 4?

Xavier Worthy’s return could revive Kansas City’s season

Worthy’s return is more than just a personnel upgrade — it could very well change the nature of how the Chiefs are playing. The lack of big-play explosiveness is a jolting change for a team that had long ruled the league in offensive boom. With Worthy onboard, Mahomes gains a burner who can stretch defenses vertically, draw coverages away from other pass-catchers to create intermediate routes, and enable Kelce to take advantage of softer coverages.

In Week 1, Worthy played just three snaps before the freak accident with tight end Travis Kelce, which further restricted him from playing.

In college, Worthy made a reputation as a game-changing playmaker; now he’ll get his chance to do the same in the NFL. Their best offensive performance for this season came against the Giants. However, even in that game, they had only 306 yards against a defense that has struggled this season.