Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Xavier Worthy, 21, has been arrested on a felony domestic assault charge in Texas, marking a troubling incident for the young athlete and the team. Worthy, who was selected by the Chiefs with the 28th overall pick in the 2024 NFL draft, is currently facing allegations of assaulting a family or household member by impeding their breathing, a serious third-degree felony.

According to jail records, Worthy was taken into custody on Friday in Georgetown, Texas, with the charge stemming from an incident reportedly involving the application of pressure to the throat or neck of the victim. This charge carries significant penalties, including a potential prison sentence of up to ten years, as outlined by Texas law.

The Chiefs organization has acknowledged the arrest, stating they are aware of the situation and are in the process of gathering more information about the incident. Thus far, the details surrounding the arrest remain unclear, with no attorney listed in the jail records as of Saturday morning.

Worthy had an impressive rookie season, earning the designation of the team’s leading receiver during the playoffs and playing a substantial role in their journey to the Super Bowl against the Philadelphia Eagles. His performance included scoring two touchdowns in the championship game, further solidifying his importance to the team's offensive strategy. This recent legal trouble adds to a challenging year for the Chiefs, who are navigating player conduct issues.

As this situation develops, the NFL is monitoring the case closely, and Worthy's future in the league could hinge on the outcome of the legal proceedings. For support regarding domestic violence issues, the National Domestic Violence Hotline is available at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233).

For more information, see SFGate and HuffPost.