Chiefs’ Rashee Rice Accepts Six-Game NFL Suspension

The earlier report of a six-game Rashee Rice suspension proved telling; the Chiefs wide receiver will accept that NFL punishment, NFL.com’s Tom Pelissero reports.

Rather than proceed to a Sept. 30 hearing, Rice will accept this deal and serve the ban to open the season. While it would have been quite strange to see Rice play the first four games before the hearing and drag this process out, Pelissero adds that was never the real plan here. A settlement loomed as the most likely outcome, and it has now come to pass.

Rice’s criminal case — in connection with a March 2024 hit-and-run incident that brought eight felony charges — concluded last month with a sentence of five years probation and a 30-day prison term. Rice received deferred adjudication, which would potentially allow him to avoid the prison stay, but his NFL matter lingered for several weeks after the legal resolution.

The NFL was believed to be initially seeking a suspension that ranged into double-digit territory. While Rice finalized his hit-and-run matter, he was accused of punching a photographer at a nightclub following that freeway street-racing incident (though, the accuser did not end up pressing charges). Another incident during Rice’s college days also was believed to have factored into the NFL’s investigation. When Rice was at SMU, Rice or a member of his party fired gunshots into an empty vehicle belonging to a Mustangs basketball player.

But this latest Chiefs off-field saga has produced finality. They will have Rice eligible to return beginning in Week 7. The three-time reigning AFC champions will be without their top wideout for games against the Chargers, Eagles, Giants, Ravens, Jaguars and Lions.

Coming on during his rookie-year stretch run, Rice proved pivotal during the Chiefs’ 2023 Super Bowl-winning season. He started off hot last season as well, but an LCL tear ended his season early. The Chiefs, who also played without Marquise Brown for most of last season, have largely struggled at receiver for the past two years. As Travis Kelce has moved into mid-30s, Patrick Mahomes has fallen off his stratospheric pace. While the Chiefs have still relied on a strong defense to help them to Super Bowls, they are counting on their megastar QB to recapture earlier form. Rice’s suspension may put that on hold.

The Chiefs have Brown healthy and saw first-round pick Xavier Worthy make strides down the stretch last season. Fourth-round rookie Jalen Royals also should factor into the AFC powerhouse’s equation during the Rice ban. The Chiefs also still have JuJu Smith-Schuster rostered; the former mainstay quietly re-signed this offseason. Rice’s absence figures to be felt early, though Kelce’s presence in an age-36 season will certainly help — even if he is in clear decline.

This suspension also gives Rice additional time to recover from the LCL injury, even as he had already resumed full practice. The third-year receiver will not be able to practice, however, until Week 7. The Chiefs have shown an ability to make do with a suboptimal receiver situation over the past two years, but this time around, they are poised to see their preferred array be available by midseason.