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Extension Candidate: Trey Smith

October 10th, 2024 at 9:24am CST by Sam Robinson

Bye weeks are known to bring increased attention to extension talks, and the Chiefs enter theirs with multiple candidates on the radar. Weeks after extending Creed Humphrey at a center-record rate, Kansas City remains interested in paying its right guard as well.

Trey Smith is on an expiring contract, and this year’s guard market — along with an NFL resume that includes steady play despite a sixth-round entrance — points to the fourth-year blocker being close to joining an exclusive club. The Chiefs would have loved to pay Smith shortly after they gave Humphrey a four-year, $72MM extension, but ESPN.com’s Jeremy Fowler notes the team viewed locking down both as “far too costly.” As it stands, Fowler adds Smith is on track for a deal that will be worth $20MM per year or beyond that point.

A fourth-year starter, Smith emerged as an extension candidate early in training camp. The Chiefs then paid Humphrey at a rate well north of where the center market previously stood. But top guards command more than the best centers. It is safe to say Smith’s second contract, barring a significant injury, will be costlier than Humphrey’s. This introduces a champagne problem of sorts for the two-time reigning champions, who have continued to view Smith as a keeper.

Four guards currently comprise the $20MM-per-year club. Landon Dickerson leads the way at $21MM AAV, while Chris Lindstrom ($20.5MM), Quenton Nelson ($20MM) and Robert Hunt ($20MM) secured these elusive terms as well. As the salary cap continues to rise, it stands to reason this group will expand soon. At 25, Smith is a prime candidate to join the group.

Reaching the market will be his best chance to do so, but the Chiefs’ Humphrey, Joe Thuney and Jawaan Taylor payments illustrate a commitment to paying top-market money for O-line aid. The Chiefs’ 2021 O-line overhaul, after the Buccaneers teed off on Patrick Mahomes in Super Bowl LV, has played a central role in the franchise’s threepeat push.

Commandeering a starting job from the jump despite a blood clot issue dropping him to Round 6 in 2021, Smith has overcome that to start every game he has played with the Chiefs. Having missed only one career game, Smith is building a strong resume toward being a top-flight 2025 free agent. No Pro Bowl invites have come Smith’s way yet; that may well change this season. Pro Football Focus ranks him as the NFL’s fourth-best guard, with he and Thuney each placed in the top five through five games. ESPN’s run block win rate metric places Smith fourth, and the Tennessee alum ranked fourth in pass block win rate among interior O-linemen last season.

Thuney is tied to a five-year, $80MM deal, one that has paid out its guarantees and expires after the 2025 season. With Humphrey paid and Taylor’s 2025 salary guaranteed, the Chiefs may end up with a Thuney-or-Smith decision for next season. Guards are almost never franchise-tagged, due to all O-linemen being grouped together under the tag formula, but Smith stands to be a candidate. Though, the Chiefs, who sit in the bottom 10 in projected 2025 cap space ($27MM-plus), will need to make some adjustments before considering such a move.

Nick Bolton also looms as a Kansas City extension candidate, as the 2021 draft helped form the core of a roster still anchored by John Dorsey-era draftees (Mahomes, Chris Jones, Travis Kelce). Brett Veach‘s top draft to date, however, has seen its lead cogs become quite expensive, as the Humphrey pact showed. Smith will also be more expensive than Bolton to retain, as the ILB market has taken some hits in recent years.

The Chiefs have been able to annually create cap space thanks to Mahomes’ 10-year extension, going to this well three times since the megastar QB signed his deal in 2020. This figures to be an avenue the team explores again, especially as Smith continues to build momentum toward a potential free agency foray.

With Hunt securing $20MM per year on the open market despite zero Pro Bowl nods on his resume, Smith has a path to topping that. The Chiefs hold exclusive negotiating rights with their Day 3 find until March’s legal tampering period. It will be interesting to see what steps they take to make sure he and Humphrey stay together long term.

Chiefs, Commanders, Ravens Out On Davante Adams; Raiders Open To Retaining WR?

October 9th, 2024 at 10:12pm CST by Sam Robinson

The pack is thinning in the Davante Adams pursuit. Although the teams most closely linked to the Raiders wide receiver remain in the hunt, some of the second-tier pursuers are no longer part of this mix.

Never a realistic destination due to their AFC West proximity, the Chiefs are indeed out on Adams. The same goes for the Commanders and Ravens, according to The Athletic’s Dianna Russini, Tashan Reed and Vic Tafur. Both Mid-Atlantic teams were believed to be in on Adams, along with the usual suspects since the WR’s trade request, but Baltimore had been drifting out of the picture.

[RELATED: Raiders Aiming To Unload WR Soon]

The Commanders were listed as an Adams dark-horse destination over the weekend, but this is the second time GM Adam Peters has stood down on a big-ticket pass catcher. Brandon Aiyuk, who played a season with Jayden Daniels at Arizona State, would have been amenable to a Washington trade. But the Commanders did not show much interest in the 49ers WR this offseason. Now, the Commanders are passing on Adams, who comes with a salary teams are not keen on paying.

Adams ignited Baltimore speculation by tweeting a picture of Edgar Allan Poe last week, but the Ravens have not discussed the wideout with the Raiders in several days. The Cowboys balked due to the Raiders’ insistence they pay all of Adams’ prorated salary, per The Athletic. Dallas was mentioned as a team who checked in with the Raiders but deemed not interested soon after. Other clubs are joining Jerry Jones‘ team.

The Saints and Jets are still in this, and veteran NFL reporter Josina Anderson adds Derek Carr‘s injury — an oblique issue expected to cost the QB multiple games — does not change New Orleans’ interest in this big swing. The Steelers have reached out as well, per The Athletic, while the Bills are monitoring this situation. Buffalo joined Baltimore in deeming the Raiders’ asking price as too high, but the Bills being somewhat concerned about their receiver situation may change the equation. The Steelers have been looking at WRs since establishing Brandon Aiyuk trade framework.

While ESPN.com’s Jeremy Fowler points to the Saints as being a slight favorite here now, ESPN colleague Adam Schefter indicates (video link) Raiders talks with the Saints and Jets may be slowing down due to the Robert Saleh firing and Carr injury respectively affecting those respective teams. This somewhat contradicts Anderson’s account re: the Saints, but while Adams is still interested in being dealt to New York or New Orleans, this process does appear to have hit a lull.

The main reason for the slowdown: the Raiders’ hope they can unload Adams for strong draft compensation and convince the acquiring team to pay the entirety of his prorated base salary. At least one team negotiating with the Raiders was told the AFC West club does not intend to pay any of the wideout’s remaining 2024 base, Fowler adds. This hardline stance obviously will give teams pause about giving up a plus asset — the Raiders want a second-round pick and more — for a soon-to-be 31-year-old receiver who is due $11.92MM for the season’s remainder.

On the New Orleans front, Anderson adds the prospect of giving up a higher-end draft choice here has not gained much traction. While the Saints are known for their salary cap wizardry, they only hold $2.6MM in space as of Wednesday. Mickey Loomis‘ club would need to make significant adjustments to accommodate all of Adams’ money — to the point it might be a nonstarter for the Saints if the Raiders refuse paying any of Adams’ salary.

As for the Jets, The Athletic notes they are still talking to the Raiders despite having fired Saleh. That decision conceivably moves Joe Douglas closer to the chopping block, but the sixth-year GM is still running point on negotiations that will help the 2024 Jets. Considering the jobs on the line and Aaron Rodgers‘ urging for this reunion, it would surprise if New York was not in this until the end.

Adams had pledged continued support for the Raiders’ cause, denying trade rumors for a while, but Fowler adds the quarterback situation — which has featured a months-long, on-and-off competition between Gardner Minshew and Aidan O’Connell — has factored into the receiver’s decision to ask out. Adams displayed clear frustration during the Raiders’ short-lived Jimmy Garoppolo QB1 period, making it unsurprising a player who built a Hall of Fame case with Rodgers and produced first-team All-Pro numbers with Carr would want much more of the Raiders’ current situation.

That said, the onus for an Adams trade to take place as soon as possible falls on the Raiders, who are paying the disgruntled wideout nearly $1MM per week until he is dealt. The Raiders carry more than $26MM in cap space and need a long-term quarterback, making it a bit odd they are holding the line financially when paying some of Adams’ money would bring better trade compensation. Also complicating Adams’ situation: his hamstring injury will sideline him for Week 6, Fowler adds. A previous report pointed to Adams being ready for Week 6; a three-week injury absence stands to give teams more pause.

Adams requesting a meeting with Antonio Pierce to express his demand to be traded to a better team surprised his coach, according to The Athletic. Adams had stumped for Pierce to be elevated to the full-time HC post, but the parties’ relationship has deteriorated since. The Raiders said they would accommodate him due to not wanting uncommitted players. Adams was then informed of the Pierce Instagram like regarding a trade the next morning during his appearance on Up & Adams.

It should now be noted that Pierce is not slamming the door shut on Adams playing for the team again. Pierce said he and Adams have talked since the trade request surfaced, and it sounds like the Raiders — potentially in a posturing move — are open to keeping Adams.

“He is in good spirits, we talked … so everything’s good. … He is still a Raider. He has never not been a Raider,” Pierce said, via Tafur. “When he’s healthy and can play, we’ll play him. He’s working everyday to get that hamstring right and he’s in the right headspace mentally. Like I said, we talked recently, had a good conversation and he’s ready to play football.”

Unless Pierce’s Wednesday words do prompt a reconciliation, the Raiders are preparing to say goodbye to the first receiver they have seen snare first-team All-Pro honors since Hall of Famer Cliff Branch in 1976. Teams will save more than $940K each week by waiting, as the NFL’s offseason deadline change resulted in a Nov. 5 trade endpoint for this year.

Chiefs’ Rashee Rice Avoids Worst-Case Scenario; WR Out For Season

October 8th, 2024 at 2:12pm CST by Adam La Rose

OCTOBER 8: Rice’s Tuesday procedure was a success, veteran insider Jordan Schultz reports. He will indeed miss the remainder of the campaign after the surgery repaired his LCL in addition to his hamstring. As hoped, though, no such repairs were needed on Rice’s ACL or meniscus and a full recovery is expected. Rice remains attached to his rookie contract through 2026.

OCTOBER 7: A clear recovery timetable for Chiefs receiver Rashee Rice is still not in place. After further testing on his injured knee Monday, though, the worst-case scenario has been avoided.

Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports Rice will need an LCL repair, but he adds that may be the only ligament requiring such a procedure. Rice’s Week 4 injury was initially feared to be an ACL tear, but it appears that is not the case. While Rapoport notably indicates the second-year wideout is expected to miss the remainder of the season, ESPN’s Adam Schefter confirms Rice’s recovery timeline will be much shorter than originally expected.

On Monday, Rice had an arthroscopic procedure performed by Dan Cooper, the Cowboys’ team doctor. A wide range of outcomes existed with respect to that process, and no structural damage of any kind represented an ideal circumstance which remained high unlikely. The best-case scenario has indeed not come to bear, but if a full ACL reconstruction proves to be unnecessary Rice’s timetable to return to full health will be greatly shortened. Rapoport adds a three-month timeframe could be in play based on the outcome of Rice’s next procedure, which will take place tomorrow.

Even on the short end of that timeline, it would come as a surprise if Rice were to take the field at any point in 2024 (barring a deep postseason run). The SMU product was placed on injured reserve last week, a move which ensured a four-game absence. It was well known Rice would be sidelined for much longer than that, and today’s update means any action on his part in the postseason would be considered a bonus. That puts Rice in a similar situation to fellow receiver Marquise Brown.

With both pass-catchers out of the picture for the foreseeable future, receiver has been named as a position of need for the two-time defending champions. An addition before the November 5 deadline could take place, with Christian Kirk of the Jaguars representing a potential target. A firm decision with respect to a midseason move depended in part on Rice’s prognosis, but now that some clarity has emerged on that front the Chiefs could seek out a deal relatively soon.

In the meantime, attention in Rice’s case will turn to his legal situation. The 24-year-old faces eight felony charges stemming from his offseason hit-and-run incident, and he may seek to serve any potential NFL suspension this season while sidelined by his injury. With a trial not expected until December, though, it would be surprising if the league were to finish an investigation and arrive at a disciplinary decision before Rice is next healthy enough to see the field. When that takes place is still unclear, but it should be sooner than team and player once feared.

Chiefs WR Rashee Rice To Undergo Arthroscopic Procedure; Outcome Will Impact Team’s Trade Outlook

October 6th, 2024 at 8:28am CST by Rory Parks

Chiefs wide receiver Rashee Rice, who is presently on injured reserve with a possible but unconfirmed ACL tear, will undergo an arthroscopic procedure this week to determine the extent of the damage, per Ian Rapoport of NFL.com. The procedure will be performed by Dr. Dan Cooper, the Cowboys’ team doctor.

At this point, there are still a number of possible outcomes: damage to just the supporting ligaments in the knee, which would not require a surgery (a best-scenario in which Rice would miss four to six weeks); a torn PCL and LCL but no ACL damage (which would nonetheless force him to miss four to six months); or damage to the ACL that is significant enough to warrant an operation (which comes with a nine-month recovery timeframe). Per Rapoport, the chances that the testing will show that Rice’s knee is strong enough to return to the field in 2024 are slim, but Kansas City is obviously still hopeful.

In keeping with a different Rapoport story from last week and his report on the above-referenced knee scope, Adam Schefter of ESPN.com expects the Chiefs to explore a trade for a receiver in advance of the November 5 deadline if Rice is indeed forced to miss the remainder of the season. We heard several days ago that Titans receiver DeAndre Hopkins is drawing trade interest, and both Rapoport and Schefter name the three-time First Team All-Pro as a target if Tennessee decides to sell.

The Raiders’ Davante Adams is presently the big fish in the pool of WR trade candidates, although neither Rapoport nor Schefter see Las Vegas and Kansas City pulling off an intra-division deal of this magnitude. However, the Jets are one of the frontrunners for Adams, and if they pull off a deal for his services, Schefter believes they may be amenable to moving one of their other wideouts in a separate trade. Speculatively, Mike Williams is a player the Chiefs might target in such a scenario.

The Chiefs have a Week 6 bye and will use it to assess their WR situation, as Rapoport details. He and Schefter disagree about how much available cap space Kansas City has at the moment – Rapoport says $15MM, while Schefter says $5MM – but in any event, Rapoport notes that the club wants to roll over as many cap dollars as possible into 2025 to facilitate second contracts for players like Trent McDuffie, Trey Smith, and George Karlaftis. While that will likely not dissuade the Chiefs from swinging a trade that would help secure another championship, it will at least factor into their decision-making.

In addition to the impact it will have on the trade deadline landscape, the upcoming arthroscopic procedure could play a role in the suspension that Rice is expected to receive for his offseason legal trouble. A recent report suggested that Rice is aiming to serve his suspension this season, because if he is going to be unavailable anyway due to injury, then it certainly makes sense for him and the team to get it over with. Of course, such an outcome would not sit well with the rest of the league.

Chiefs’ Rashee Rice Aiming To Serve Suspension This Season?

October 4th, 2024 at 10:15pm CST by Sam Robinson

After Andy Reid told CBS’ Tracy Wolfson that Rashee Rice‘s injury did not look good at halftime of the team’s Week 4 Chargers matchup, a report indicating the Chiefs feared a torn ACL emerged. Rice is now on IR, but no confirmation of a tear has surfaced.

Such silence is being categorized as Rice seeking a second opinion on his injured knee, but multiple other motivations could be in play here. The Chiefs could be holding off on Rice needing a season-ending surgery due to potential price increases from trade sellers, as the defending champs are expected to be in the market for help. Another reason for keeping Rice’s injury in-house could pertain to his off-field trouble.

[RELATED: Chiefs Considering Wide Receiver Acquisition]

Rice’s camp and the team may also have an interest in protecting his injury information, as Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio offers that the second-year wide receiver is aiming to resolve his personal conduct matter this year rather than drag out the process. Cynically, this would be an attempt to have Rice serve his punishment in 2024 — while he will be, in all likelihood, physically unable to play.

The wide receiver is facing eight felony charges in connection with a March hit-and-run incident, a six-car accident in Dallas that has drawn at least one civil suit against the SMU alum. Rice also punched a photographer in the face at a nightclub soon after. The photographer labeled it a misunderstanding and did not file charges. However, an NFL investigation into Rice also may include an incident while the receiver was still at SMU. Rice or a member of his party fired gunshots into the empty vehicle belonging to a Mustangs basketball player.

For an investigation covering all this to be completed in time for Rice to serve his entire suspension, one that will likely span four to six games, this season would be ambitious. This renewed effort on the wideout’s part also comes not long after a report indicated he was not expected to be suspended this season. The league reversing course now would probably not go over well with other teams, particularly ones who have seen key players taken off the field due to personal conduct policy suspensions. The Chiefs have developed an earned reputation for taking chances on character risks, with Rice being the AFC powerhouse’s latest major development on this front. But they have reaped rewards from the strategy, as players like Tyreek Hill, Frank Clark and Charles Omenihu accompany Rice in having contributed to Super Bowl-winning teams, doing so after Kareem Hunt won a rushing title.

Rice would obviously benefit from serving a ban this season, and Florio adds a settlement with Dallas prosecutors would be a way to expedite the process. A previous report indicated no Rice trial would occur before December, giving the talented pass catcher a runway to play this season.

The 2023 second-round pick was off to a strong start, operating as Kansas City’s clear-cut top pass catcher — despite the presence of future Hall of Famer Travis Kelce — in his three healthy games. Rice’s rookie deal runs through 2026, but if his expected suspension begins in Week 1 of next year, his second and third NFL seasons will feature extended absences. A smoother path to a big-ticket extension would naturally emerge if Rice is eligible to play the entire 2025 season.

The Chiefs are likely to augment their receiving situation soon, though it will also be interesting to see which teams are willing to deal with a franchise gunning for its third straight Super Bowl title. Clubs who are will probably operate under the assumption Rice is indeed out for the season, factoring that into their asking prices. A course reversal regarding when Rice and the Chiefs want this suspension to occur will have no bearing on how sellers handle trade negotiations.

WR Christian Kirk Drawing Trade Interest; Jaguars Not Planning To Be Sellers?

October 4th, 2024 at 10:09pm CST by Adam La Rose

A high-profile receiver trade is expected to take place relatively soon with Davante Adams known to be available. He may not be the only veteran pass-catcher who changes teams before the trade deadline, though.

The Jaguars are receiving interest on Christian Kirk, Jason La Canfora of the Washington Post details. That comes as no surprise given the team’s 0-4 record to start the year. Questions loom over the job security of head coach Doug Pederson and general manager Trent Baalke, and more losses over the coming weeks could lead to the team adopting a seller’s standpoint.

For now, however, La Canfora adds Jacksonville has rebuffed trade interest for veteran players. The team is looking to retain a number of core players in the hopes of rebounding during the immediate future. If one or both of Pederson and Baalke were to be let go, though, Kirk could become a more feasible trade target for contending teams. The 27-year-old has already been floated as a candidate to be moved before the November 5 deadline, with the Chiefs and Steelers representing potential destinations.

“They’re going to add a receiver before the deadline, for sure,” one general manager told La Canfora when speaking about the Chiefs. “I think it’s going to be Christian Kirk. He just looks like an Andy Reid receiver. He really fits what they do.”

With Marquise Brown out until at least the playoffs and Rashee Rice dealing with what may be an ACL tear, receiver is an obvious position for Kansas City to target in the event a midseason move is made. Pulling off a deal with the division-rival Raiders for Adams (whose preference is the Jets) would be challenging for the Chiefs. Kirk is among the other options who could make a notable impact down the stretch and through the playoffs if he were to be added to the fold, however.

The former Cardinals second-rounder took a free agent deal with Jacksonville in 2022. The terms of that four-year, $72MM pact came as a surprise to many at the time, but the top of the receiver market has since seen multiple surges in value. Kirk delivered a strong debut Jags campaign, totaling career highs in catches (84), yards (1,108) and touchdowns (eight). He was limited to 12 games last season, but be still remained a high-end option in the passing game by averaging 13.8 yards per catch.

The 2024 campaign saw Kirk record only one reception in each of the first two contests; the Texas A&M product has made 15 catches since then. Unlike a number of other players who could be on the move shortly, Kirk’s deal runs through 2025. None of his base salary ($15.5MM) for next year is guaranteed, however, so a new arrangement could be made shortly after arrival with an acquiring team.

Suitors would take on a prorated portion of Kirk’s $14.5MM salary for this season in a deal. That figure could become manageable closer to the deadline in particular, but it remains to be seen if the Jaguars will authorize deals sending him and other veterans elsewhere over the coming weeks.

Minor NFL Transactions: 10/4/24

October 4th, 2024 at 7:09pm CST by Ely Allen

Today’s minor moves in the NFL:

Kansas City Chiefs

Los Angeles Rams

Miami Dolphins

New Orleans Saints

The Rams get Murchison back in his third season with the team. The veteran defensive tackle was placed on injured reserve before final roster cuts, but thanks to the NFL’s new return designation rules, Murchison is not forced to miss the entire season. Los Angeles designated him to return when placing him on IR in August, and after opening his practice window on Wednesday, he’ll have the opportunity to debut in Week 5.

Boyle found his way to Miami’s practice squad just before the season began after spending most of his offseason in Houston. Following another concussion for starting passer Tua Tagovailoa, Boyle was called up to serve as an emergency quarterback behind Skyler Thompson and Mike White. With the arrival of Tyler Huntley from Baltimore, as well, the room became too crowded, and it appears that Boyle will be the odd man out.

Perry is being waived shortly into his second year with the Saints. The former sixth-round pick out of Wake Forest only caught 12 passes as a rookie in 10 games last year, but at 6-foot-5, he proved productive with the long ball and in the red zone, averaging 20.5 yards per reception and catching four touchdowns.

Davante Adams Aiming For Jets Trade; Raiders To Accept Highest Offer

October 3rd, 2024 at 10:13pm CST by Adam La Rose

Davante Adams is unlikely to play in Week 5, but the matter of his hamstring injury is a minor element to his ongoing storyline. The Raiders continue to have discussions tied to dealing the All-Pro wideout to a new team, although an expected suitor is in place as his target.

Adams wants to play with the Jets, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports. That update comes as no surprise considering the mutual interest showed by both Adams and Aaron Rodgers to reunite in New York. The Jets are among the numerous teams which have inquired about a deal, and reporting from yesterday tapped them as the favorites to pull off a trade. Other suitors remain in the running, though.

Rapoport notes Adams has not insisted to the Raiders he will only go to New York, adding other teams appeal to him as well. The Saints, Steelers, Bills and Cowboys are teams which have had conversations about a deal, although Dallas is no longer believed to be interested in adding the 31-year-old. Rapoport lists the Ravens and 49ers as destinations Adams could be amenable to. San Francisco currently leads the league in cap space ($56.74MM), while Baltimore has just $4.31MM and would need to execute a number of maneuvers to made an Adams deal feasible.

Any acquiring team would take on a prorated portion of the Fresno State product’s $16.89MM base salary (along with $30K in weekly roster bonuses) to fit him into their 2024 cap structure. Two more years remain on Adams’ deal, but a restructure resulting in guaranteed money for 2025 and beyond along with a drop in cap hits is expected regardless of where he winds up. The Raiders could increase the value of draft pick compensation coming back in a trade by retaining some salary. The Athletic’s Dianna Russini names the Bills and Chiefs as suitors monitoring the market which could make a more notable push in the event Vegas were to absorb some of the outstanding compensation.

While it would certainly be notable if Kansas City – a team which could use an addition at the receiver spot – were to emerge as a legitimate contender for an intra-divisional deal, Rapoport reports the Raiders are prepared to take the highest offer they receive. That may still come from the Jets (who currently have $16.81MM in cap space), but stronger bids from Derek Carr‘s Saints or another team would complicate efforts on New York’s part to work out an agreement. The Raiders’ asking price reportedly starts with a second-round pick, but that would change if salary retention were to be brought into the equation.

Adams was sidelined for Week 4, and ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports he is not expected to play this week against the Broncos. Russini adds Adams could be back to full health in time for Week 6 if he does not encounter any setbacks. If the former second-rounder is at full strength before a trade is worked out, Rapoport notes Adams could continue playing for Vegas, something which appeared to be in store for the rest of the campaign until earlier this week.

Rapoport adds nothing is imminent on the trade front at this time. Given Adams’ openness to moving on and the Raiders’ willingness to seek out his market amongst interested parties, though, the possibility remains this situation will see a resolution before the November 5 trade deadline which results in a change of scenery. If the Raiders remain committed to taking the best offer on the table, it will be interesting to see how urgently the Jets pursue a deal.

Chiefs Place WR Rashee Rice On IR

October 3rd, 2024 at 3:35pm CST by Adam La Rose

It is not yet known if Rashee Rice will miss the remainder of the season, but he is in line for at least a short-term absence. The second-year wideout was placed on injured reserve Thursday, per a team announcement.

That move comes as no surprise, and it guarantees at least a four-game spell on the sidelines. A torn ACL may have occurred in Week 4, something which would of course sideline Rice for the rest of the season. Head coach Andy Reid confirmed when speaking to the media today, however, that the team will wait for the swelling to subside before further testing takes place.

If those evaluations confirm a torn ACL, moving Rice to IR will prove to have been a simple formality. If a less serious injury is revealed, though, a return at some point during the campaign would be possible. At a minimum, today’s news ensures the 24-year-old will not be eligible to play until Week 9 at the earliest.

Rice’s injury came after the Chiefs had already lost Marquise Brown until no earlier than the postseason. As a result, Kansas City’s receiving corps is thin at the moment, leading many to label the team as a potential buyer ahead of the trade deadline. Good news on the Rice injury front could change any plans Kansas City has to make a midseason receiver addition, but it will still be interesting to see if one is pursued with at least a short-term absence in store.

Faced with a number of off-the-field issues this offseason, the SMU product is not expected to be suspended this season in connection with the hit-and-run incident he was involved in. Regardless of how his legal situation plays out, missed time on the field will be acutely felt. Rice had a strong rookie campaign and posted a 24-288-2 statline across his first three games in 2024. He will be expected to remain a key pass-catching option if he manages to return later this season.

If not, the Chiefs will rely on first-round rookie Xavier Worthy along with the likes of JuJu Smith-Schuster, Skyy Moore, Justin Watson and Mecole Hardman at the receiver spot. That group could be joined by Rice down the road, but it remains to be seen if that will be the case.

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