WR Tyreek Hill Uncertain To Be Ready By Week 1
The free agency lot of receivers brings considerable accomplishments. DeAndre Hopkins is a three-time first-team All-Pro, while Stefon Diggs is a four-time Pro Bowler with seven 1,000-yard seasons. Keenan Allen is the leading receiver in Chargers history, sporting six Pro Bowl invites, while Deebo Samuel — a 2021 first-team All-Pro — has been one of the most versatile players at his position in modern NFL history.
While Samuel is the youngest player here (at 30), Tyreek Hill has the best resume. The former Chiefs standout is an eight-time Pro Bowler with two 1,700-yard seasons under his belt. The off-field baggage Hill has accumulated is well documented, but the all-time speed merchant has put together a Hall of Fame-level career through 10 seasons. But the Dolphins released him in February, leaving the 32-year-old target’s future uncertain.
Hill’s market may be on hold because of multiple factors — his severe knee injury last September and another NFL investigation into alleged domestic violence — but he wants to play an 11th season. But Hill’s return timetable does not appear to align with a Week 1 return, with ESPN’s Adam Schefter indicating during a Pat McAfee Show appearance it may take until around midseason for the veteran pass catcher to be ready to go.
In Week 4 of last season, Hill tore multiple knee ligaments — including his ACL — and suffered a knee dislocation. That injury ending his career surfaced as a possibility, though the accomplished wideout has since expressed motivation to return. Teams figure to be monitoring this market, but it is also likely this particular free agent will not be coveted by every team in need of receiving help.
Hill entered the league with a domestic violence arrest, leading to a drop to the fifth round, and the NFL investigated him for a separate alleged act in 2019. No suspension took place then, but a different woman — ex-wife Keeta Vaccaro — has since accused Hill of eight separate domestic violence acts. The NFL is investigating Vaccaro’s claims, which could produce a suspension.
Hill’s first NFL team, the Chiefs, have shown a high tolerance threshold toward off-field trouble, but the team is already dealing with a repeat offender on this front in Rashee Rice. The Chiefs are believed to be looking for receiver help, with Schefter mentioning them as a team “maybe” looking to add at the position. No real Chiefs-Hill reunion buzz has surfaced since his Dolphins release, and while he would make sense from a scheme perspective, the Chiefs — who have been connected to Diggs — may be better suited going with a safer bet compared to a player carrying a suspension risk who also might not be ready for Week 1.
It will also be worth wondering if Hill’s prime came to an abrupt end last September. He is sure to generate interest upon recovery, but there will be an uncertainty about how much is left in the tank by that point.
AFC West Notes: Chiefs, Mahomes, Broncos, Coleman, Bolts, Raiders, Gruden
Brett Veach has been given considerable credit for the Chiefs‘ plan to acquire Patrick Mahomes during the 2017 draft, though John Dorsey pulled the trigger on the trade-up move that gave Kansas City access to the future superstar. The Chiefs traded a 2017 third-round pick and their 2018 first-rounder to move from No. 27 to No. 10 (via the Bills) for the Texas Tech prospect. Plenty has changed about the organization’s trajectory since. During the process that produced the momentous K.C. trade-up, CEO Clark Hunt watched film of the prospect — then viewed as a high-variance raw talent — and deviated from his stance against trading future firsts, according to ESPN.com.
The Chiefs had not traded a future first-rounder since acquiring Trent Green from the Rams just before the 2001 draft. As Mahomes’ trajectory became clear early in his career, however, Hunt has signed off on two such trades. The team sent the Seahawks its 2019 first in the Frank Clark deal and included its 2021 first in the package to land Orlando Brown Jr. After waiting behind Alex Smith as a rookie, Mahomes zoomed to MVP honors after his best statistical season before powering the Chiefs to five Super Bowls and three titles during his 20s.
Here is the latest from the AFC West:
- The team that ended the Chiefs’ nine-year run of AFC West championships did not make a pick until the third round this year. The Broncos did make two fourth-round choices, the first being Washington running back Jonah Coleman. A key reason the Broncos tabbed the 5-foot-8, 220-pound back at No. 108 stems from his pass-protection skills. Denver brass viewed Coleman as this draft’s top pass-pro back, ESPN.com’s Jeff Legwold notes. Coleman drew interest from other teams, including the Chiefs, but fell to Round 4 because of concerns about his knee. The Broncos acknowledged Coleman’s knee injected risk into the proceedings but deemed it one worth taking. Coleman will develop behind J.K. Dobbins and RJ Harvey as a rookie.
- Three picks later, Denver drafted offensive lineman Kage Casey. Starting three seasons at left tackle at Boise State, Casey looks to be making his Broncos-to-Broncos transition at a different primary position. Denver lined Casey up at left guard during its rookie minicamp, The Athletic’s Nick Kosmider notes. Sean Payton said Casey could also help at center, but his LG placement is notable due to both Ben Powers being in a contract year and the team re-signing Powers backup Alex Palczewski to a two-year, $9.5MM deal. Casey also should be expected to cross-train at tackle, as the Broncos have two 30-somethings — Garett Bolles and Mike McGlinchey — at those spots.
- The Chargers carried nearly $100MM in cap space into free agency but did not spend wildly. That restraint should be expected in future offseasons, with third-year GM Joe Hortiz indicating (via ESPN.com’s Kris Rhim) the Bolts are unlikely to be big spenders on outside talent under this regime. “I just believe in building through the draft and I believe in paying the players you know,” Hortiz said. Considering Hortiz’s extensive Ravens past, his ideology adds up. The Ravens are not typically big FA spenders, and they hoard compensatory picks. The Chargers did authorize three eight-figure-per-year deals in free agency (for Khalil Mack, Teair Tart and Tyler Biadasz), but only Biadasz was an outside addition.
- The Raiders are partially in the state they are because of free agency and draft misses during Jon Gruden‘s second run as head coach. One of those misses came on Clelin Ferrell, whom Gruden and then-GM Mike Mayock chose fourth overall despite most mocks having the defensive end going several picks later. The Raiders’ initial plan was to trade down and grab Ferrell later, per then-DC Paul Guenther (via The Athletic’s Zak Keefer), but the team “panicked” and went with the Clemson product at 4. The Raiders soon saw fourth-rounder Maxx Crosby outplay him. Two years later, the Raiders missed badly on first-round tackle Alex Leatherwood. Ahead of that draft, Keefer notes the Raiders had a strange setup in which Gruden’s staff and Mayock’s scouting group were each siloed and produced separate draft boards. The coaches’ board won out on Leatherwood, with Keefer indicating then-O-line coach Tom Cable talked Gruden into the Alabama blocker (whom Las Vegas cut in 2022).
AFC Staff Updates: Merritt, Watts, Browns, Colts
A month ago, Chiefs cornerbacks coach David Merritt was arrested and charged with misdemeanor domestic battery. According to Mike Garafolo of NFL Network, Merritt’s case was dismissed by the District Court of Johnson County.
At the time of Merritt’s arrest on the Kansas side of the border, no details accompanied the news to explain his arrest and charging, but the former NFL linebacker pleaded not guilty once given the opportunity in court as the Chiefs chose not to comment on the situation. Merritt’s attorney, Ryan Ginie, informed Garafolo that the District Attorney’s office “looked at (the case) a little more thoroughly and reviewed some additional information” before they “agreed it was a matter that should be dismissed.”
Following the case’s dismissal, the Chiefs are set to continue the offseason with their assistant coach of the past seven years. Merritt has helped coach a secondary unit on a defense that has routinely finished in the top half of the league in pass defense.
Here are a few other staff updates from around the AFC:
- After leaving Pittsburgh in March, veteran scout Chris Watts reportedly turned to the collegiate ranks of the game, joining the University of Texas “in a player personnel capacity,” per Matt Zenitz of CBS Sports. Watts is coming off a four-year stay with the Steelers following a 15-year stint in the Giants’ front office. Watts scouted the Longhorns in his coverage of the south area for the Steelers, and he also has some experience working for the Senior Bowl.
- The Browns have added a veteran presence to their front office, hiring Mike Derice as their new mid-Atlantic area scout, according to Neil Stratton of SucceedInFootball.com. Derice wasn’t with a team in 2025, but before his short sabbatical, he had gathered a combined 13 years of experience working with the Giants and Colts. He returns to work following a surprising parting of ways with New York a year ago.
- The Colts made a minor addition to their data/analytics group earlier this month. Per ESPN’s Seth Walder, Sam Swift was hired as a football data analyst in Indianapolis. Swift will be working his first full-time NFL position after interning with the Bills last year and working as a recruiting assistant as he finished school at the University of Iowa.
Chiefs Sign Round 2 DE R Mason Thomas
Connected to first-round edge rushers, the Chiefs instead allocated their top draft resource toward a cornerback by trading up for Mansoor Delane. The team then chose Clemson defensive tackle Peter Woods at No. 29 overall. Miami’s Rueben Bain Jr. served as a Chiefs Delane backup plan, but after the LSU cornerback became ticketed for Missouri, the Chiefs tabled their defensive end need until the second round.
Kansas City drafted Oklahoma’s R Mason Thomas at No. 40. The Chiefs have signed Thomas to his rookie deal, according to Pro Football Talk’s Myles Simmons. Thomas’ draft slot will ensure this contract comes fully guaranteed.
Tyler Shough‘s camp successfully negotiated for a fully guaranteed deal in the No. 40 draft slot last year, and the bar has moved into the late 40s this offseason. Falcons cornerback Avieon Terrell received a fully guaranteed deal at No. 48, which will effectively require all second-rounders chosen before him to land such terms. Thomas will be tied to a $12.2MM contract that runs through the 2029 season.
The Chiefs went 6-8 in Patrick Mahomes‘ starts before losing their final three games after the superstar quarterback’s season-ending knee injury. That allowed them rare draft real estate. Kansas City entered a draft with a top-10 pick for the first time since it held the No. 1 overall choice in 2013, and the 6-11 record allowed for favorable second-round status as well. Enter Thomas, who will be expected to grow into a starter opposite George Karlaftis.
Kansas City looks to have missed on Felix Anudike-Uzomah, drafted 32nd overall in 2023. He has been a nonfactor since going off the board in Round 1 three years ago, and the Chiefs predictably declined his fifth-year option this month. Anudike-Uzomah remains on K.C.’s roster, but the team moved on from D-ends Charles Omenihu and Mike Danna this offseason. The Chiefs drafted Ashton Gillotte in Round 3 last year, but Thomas’ pedigree points to a higher ceiling.
Thomas had a quiet first two seasons at Oklahoma, where he combined for 1.5 sacks in 19 games from 2022-23. The edge rusher’s production increased dramatically during his junior season, in which he totaled 12.5 tackles for loss, nine sacks and two forced fumbles in 13 contests. Thomas added another two FFs last year, though his TFLs (9.5) and sacks (6.5) understandably dipped during a 10-game season. Thomas checked in 44th on Daniel Jeremiah’s NFL.com big board. He visited the Browns, Buccaneers, Dolphins, Patriots and Seahawks during the pre-draft process.
As an aside, the “R” in the second-rounder’s name does not stand for anything; it comes from a family tradition. While it will make for an interesting addition to the Chiefs’ roster, the team will hope the former Big 12 recruit-turned-SEC standout will be known for more than his unusually structured name soon.
Chiefs Did Not Show Interest In A.J. Brown Earlier This Offseason
The Chiefs‘ issues at wide receiver have impacted their offensive production during the mid-2020s. After Patrick Mahomes‘ 2022 MVP season, Kansas City’s offense has ranked 15th, 15th and 21st in scoring over the past three campaigns. An upper-crust defense helped cover for the team’s offensive issues en route to Super Bowls LVIII and LIX, but Kansas City’s recent attacks have not approached the stratospheric heights of the early Mahomes period.
Since the Tyreek Hill trade, the Chiefs have missed in the draft (Skyy Moore), in free agency (Marquise Brown) and via trade (Kadarius Toney) at wide receiver. The team’s DeAndre Hopkins trade brought regular-season success but next to nothing in the 2024 playoffs. Xavier Worthy has also been more of an auxiliary weapon than a higher-end option. The Chiefs will be counting on Worthy this year, as they have been unable to depend on their top post-Hill receiver — Rashee Rice — since a productive rookie season.
Rice has missed extensive time due to injuries and a suspension. His most recent stumble involved trouble on both fronts, with a recent probation violation leading to the strange situation where the fourth-year wide receiver is now recovering from knee surgery in a Dallas prison. The latest Rice issue has moved an extension off the radar for the time being, and given the oddity this surgery rehab now brings, the Chiefs’ top wideout may need more recovery time. After the team did not draft a receiver until Round 5 (Cyrus Allen), rumblings about pursuing veteran help have emerged.
The Chiefs are being connected to the Stefon Diggs market, and Hill — presuming he recovers from a severe knee injury sustained last September — would represent a logical fit. Each would require only money to land, whereas A.J. Brown would involve trade compensation.
Prying Brown from the Eagles is likely to require a first-round pick, perhaps in 2028, and the Patriots — perhaps with some outside threats — are viewed as the favorites to land the former Titans draftee. Brown, however, put the Chiefs on his destination list earlier this offseason. As it stands, the Chiefs may not have similar interest.
Kansas City rejected a Philadelphia overture on Brown earlier this year, according to Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer, who notes the Chiefs “said no” to the Eagles on a potential trade opportunity. Brown included the Chiefs, Patriots, Bills and Chargers as desirable destinations. The lead Philly pass catcher does not have a no-trade clause, giving the team full control over his next destination (assuming the Eagles follow through with the long-rumored trade).
Brown is tied to a $32MM-per-year contract that features a full 2026 compensation guarantee and a $4MM guarantee in 2027. Brown being a six-time 1,000-yard receiver makes those figures reasonable (even considering his spree of role-related gripes), as the receiver market is now past $42MM AAV via Jaxon Smith-Njigba‘s March extension. It is possible the Chiefs reconsider on Brown due to the latest Rice setback, but Breer doubts that will happen. The team has not been big spenders at receiver since trading Hill.
The Chiefs have never authorized a receiver contract north of $18MM per year (Hill’s 2019 contract). Though Kansas City was negotiating an extension with Hill in 2022, the Raiders’ Davante Adams extension (five years, $140MM) changed the equation. The Chiefs opted to cash out on Hill rather than authorize a near-top-market re-up. The team has kept costs low at receiver since, with Hollywood Brown’s two $7MM deals the top contractual commitment for the team post-Hill.
Diggs joined the Patriots on a three-year, $63.5MM accord last March, but only $16.6MM of that pact came guaranteed at signing. That proved notable, as the Pats cut Diggs before a 2027 guarantee was set to vest. Diggs will turn 33 later this year, which will limit his earning power. The Chiefs also have other FA options in the event they add a player here, which was a rumored possibility before news of Rice’s probation violation surfaced. Hopkins, Deebo Samuel and Keenan Allen are also unattached.
With Rice on shaky ground regarding a long-term investment — as a franchise tag would be more logical even if he rebounds in 2026 — the Chiefs have Worthy, Tyquan Thornton, Allen and 2025 fourth-rounder Jalen Royals signed beyond this season (Royals, however, barely played as a rookie).
The team pursuing Brown ahead of his age-29 season would bring in a multiyear option, while one of the 30-somethings in free agency may well only cover a 2026 rental. But it would also be costly. The Chiefs have traded two first-rounders for veterans under GM Brett Veach — for Frank Clark (2019) and in the Orlando Brown Jr. package (2021) — but more recently have been on the receiving end of such trades (Hill, Trent McDuffie). Kansas City, which has Travis Kelce on a year-to-year arrangement at this point, will certainly need more help at the position through a longer-term lens soon.
Chiefs Viewed As Potential WR Stefon Diggs Suitor
Stefon Diggs remains one of the top free agents on the market. The veteran wideout is among many who will presumably have their next deal in place no later than the start of training camp this summer.
A return to the Patriots (provided they do not wind up trading for A.J. Brown) could be in store, while the Ravens were recently named as a team to watch regarding a receiver addition. The same is also true of the Chiefs, though. Diggs represents one of the options who could receive consideration in Kansas City’s case.
Multiple executives who spoke with SportsBoom’s Jason La Canfora pointed to the Chiefs as a logical landing spot for Diggs. Adding a veteran WR would help alleviate concerns with the team’s depth chart, one which lost Marquise Brown in free agency and did not see any experienced wideouts brought in as a replacement. Kansas City added Cyrus Allen in the fifth round of last month’s draft, but he will of course be expected to handle a depth role.
The Chiefs also have the likes of Xavier Worthy and Tyquan Thornton in place alongside Rashee Rice. Rice’s recent probation violation will result in 30 days of jail time, and his latest legal issue has cast renewed doubt on his future in Kansas City. An extension for the 26-year-old is not being planned at this time. Rice is therefore on track to enter the final year of his rookie contract without clarity beyond that point.
That factor, coupled with Rice’s recent knee surgery, could point further in the direction of a low-cost Chiefs deal late in free agency. The team currently has just under $6MM in cap space, so a splashy signing will not be viable. Adding a veteran such as Diggs on an affordable one-year pact could help stabilize the WR spot, however. The 32-year-old was limited to eight games by an ACL tear in 2024 but he has otherwise topped 1,000 yards every season since 2018.
As La Canfora notes, Diggs’ market has picked up since he was recently acquitted of assault and strangulation charges. A league investigation into the matter is still ongoing, meaning discipline through a fine and/or suspension remains possible. Nevertheless, it would come as little surprise if Diggs were to have his next NFL opportunity lined up by July at the latest. It will be interesting to see if the Chiefs make a push to sign him over the coming weeks.
Chiefs Do Not Have Rashee Rice Extension On Horizon; Latest On WR’s Knee Surgery
Under normal circumstances, Rashee Rice would be a clear extension candidate in Kansas City. But the combination of his injury history and off-field trouble has moved talk of a second Chiefs contract off the radar for the talented wide receiver.
Rice is currently in a Dallas prison for violating his probation terms. A pretrial diversion agreement — reached to resolve eight felony charges stemming from a 2024 hit-and-run incident — had previously set up Rice to choose when he served a 30-day prison term over a five-year period, but a positive THC test scrapped that plan. Rice will not be released until June 16, and a recent knee surgery offers an interesting complication to an already-difficult offseason for the fourth-year pass catcher.
Rice underwent surgery last week, ESPN.com’s Adam Schefter confirmed during a Pat McAfee Show appearance, indicating there is “no way” Kansas City’s top wideout would have gone through with the procedure had he known a prison stint was upcoming. Rice was facing a two-month rehab process under normal circumstances, but being in jail to start that period brings a highly unusual complication. Rice, 26, will now be likely to need more rehab time due to this jail stay.
The Chiefs certainly have a history under Andy Reid of showing extreme tolerance for off-field issues, but Rice’s situation does bring new territory. Kansas City’s most notable Reid-era receiver contract did involve a problematic player. Tyreek Hill arrived in Missouri with ugly off-field baggage and ran into more trouble in 2019. After more domestic violence allegations surfaced, the Chiefs barred Hill from their facility. Shortly after the NFL elected not to suspend the star receiver, his off-field trouble allowed for a team-friendly extension to commence. Hill signed a three-year, $54MM agreement before his 2019 contract year.
The Chiefs then traded Hill to the Dolphins in 2022, using the picks package — headlined by Trent McDuffie — to help secure back-to-back Super Bowl wins. The receiver position has been a long-running issue for K.C., post-Hill, however.
Patrick Mahomes won a second MVP award in 2022, but that season required an elite Travis Kelce showing to prop up a Hill-less passing attack. The Chiefs have seen their offense fall well short of their early-Mahomes-years heights in the years since, ranking 15th in scoring in 2023 and ’24 and 21st last season. The team missed on Kadarius Toney and Skyy Moore bets following the Hill trade. Rice brought a ray of hope, though, making key contributions down the stretch during his 2023 rookie season.
The second-round pick also showed promise early in 2024 and after a 2025 six-game suspension, but he has proven highly unreliable. Multiple off-field incidents unrelated to the hit-and-run development have taken place as well. Though, Rice only faced charges for the hit-and-run accident.
Missing 13 games in 2024 due to an LCL tear, Rice played just eight games last season. He landed on IR with a concussion after the Chiefs were mathematically eliminated from the playoff race. Rice was then accused of domestic violence via civil suit by the mother of his two children, but the NFL ruled the SMU alum did not violate the personal conduct policy.
That allowed Rice to avoid another suspension, and the NFL does not suspend for positive marijuana tests any longer. But CBS Sports’ Jonathan Jones notes Rice may not be in the clear due to this THC finding violating his probation. It is not certain the league will punish Rice further, but his NFL future is much foggier because of this week’s headlines.
The Chiefs are not planning a Rice extension anytime soon, per Schefter, who adds nothing is on the horizon here. This clouds the Chiefs’ receiver outlook, as Xavier Worthy looks to be the only pass-catching regular with a great chance of being on the 2027 roster. The team re-signed Tyquan Thornton to a two-year, $11MM pact, and while that deal’s $7.4MM guaranteed includes a $2MM 2027 figure, more WR uncertainty is present because of the Rice situation.
Rice does have a chance to reestablish value. Unless the ongoing prison term complicates his surgery rehab to a concerning degree, Rice’s timetable puts him on track to start the season on time. Sustained availability would probably put Rice in play to be a Chiefs re-signing consideration in 2027, with a franchise tag probably in the realm of possibility as well. That would buy the organization more time, but the 204-pound target has a rather significant “prove it” season ahead.
For now, the Chiefs figure to be connected to some of the veteran wideouts available. Hill is among them, though Reid downplayed the prospect of a reunion earlier this offseason. That said, the Chiefs did not draft a receiver until Round 5 (Cyrus Allen). But Rice’s long-term status is on the back burner; how this now-unusual rehab process goes will be part of his route back toward a possible upper-crust second contract — from either the Chiefs or another team.
NFL Draft Pick Signings: 5/20/26
Wednesday’s mid- to late-round signings from the 2026 NFL Draft:
Denver Broncos
- RB Jonah Coleman (fourth round, Washington)
- OL Kage Casey (fourth round, Boise State)
Kansas City Chiefs
- S Jadon Canady (fourth round, Oregon)
After combining for 1,811 rushing yards and 25 touchdowns over the past two seasons, Coleman is seen as a potential steal for Denver. He reportedly fell to the fourth round due to concerns about the durability of his knee, but there’s a chance that the Washington product could challenge for snaps in a backfield that currently features J.K. Dobbins and RJ Harvey. By inking Coleman and Casey, the Broncos only remaining unsigned pick is third-round Texas A&M defensive tackle Tyler Onyedim.
Canady brings versatile experience to the secondary in Kansas City. Starting his collegiate career as an outside cornerback at Tulane, Canady worked more in the slot in order to find the field after transferring to Ole Miss. In his final year of eligibility, Canady found himself in a roaming safety role with the Ducks, spending most of his time in the slot with a good chunk at deep safety, as well.
Chiefs WR Rashee Rice Ordered To Serve 30 Days In Jail For Violating Probation
Chiefs wide receiver Rashee Rice is once again in legal trouble. Rice violated his probation after testing positive for THC, Matt Foster of KSHB 41 News reports. He has been ordered to serve 30 days in jail.
Rice is on probation for five years as a result of a 2024 hit-and-run crash that led to eight felony charges. After pleading guilty to felony collision involving serious bodily injury and racing on a highway causing bodily injury, Rice was sentenced to 30 days in jail and ordered to pay $115K to the injured victims.
[RELATED: Rice Facing Multi-Month Rehab After Knee Surgery]
Rice’s jail sentence is the same one he was originally ordered to serve, per Ian Rapoport of NFL Network. Had he not violated probation, Rice would have been able to choose when to serve his time over the next five years, Jonathan Jones of CBS Sports relays. He will now have to go through with it immediately, which will prevent him from participating in the Chiefs’ upcoming OTAs and mandatory minicamp.
The NFL suspended Rice for the first six games of last season as a result of his street-racing crash. However, it is unlikely this violation will lead to another ban, according to Jones, who notes the league does not suspend players for positive marijuana tests. It is nonetheless another unwelcome off-field development for Rice, who was accused of domestic violence in a civil lawsuit filed in February. Dacoda Jones, Rice’s ex-girlfriend, claimed he repeatedly assaulted her from December 2023 to July 2025. He was not charged with a crime, and the league chose not to suspend him after reviewing the matter.
On the field, Rice is entering the pivotal final season of the four-year rookie contract he signed in 2023. During the pre-draft process, NFL teams became aware of an alleged incident in which Rice or a member of his party fired multiple shots into an empty car belonging to a member of SMU’s basketball team. The Chiefs nonetheless selected Rice in the second round (No. 55 overall), a move that has paid dividends when he has taken the field. Rice was a standout during a 16-game rookie year in which he caught 79 passes for 938 yards and seven touchdowns. He added another 26 receptions in a four-game playoff run, including six in a Super Bowl LVIII win over the 49ers.
Thanks to a Week 4 LCL tear in 2024, last year’s suspension and a concussion, Rice played a mere 12 games over the previous two seasons. Despite suiting up just eight times in 2025, the 26-year-old piled up 53 catches, 571 yards and five scores. Barring punishment from the league, the Chiefs will count on Rice to continue serving as a key weapon when the upcoming season starts. Rice will be the top receiver in a corps that also includes Xavier Worthy, Tyquan Thornton, Jalen Royals and fifth-round rookie Cyrus Allen.
Chiefs WR Rashee Rice Recently Underwent Knee Surgery, Expected To Be Sidelined For Two Months
The Rashee Rice saga has taken yet another turn. According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the Chiefs wide receiver recently underwent a clean-up surgery on his right knee. This will sideline Rice for two months.
[RELATED: Chiefs WR Rashee Rice Ordered To Serve 30 Days In Jail For Violating Probation]
The operation was intended to remove “loose debris” that was causing inflammation in the wideout’s knee. There is no structural damage, and the debridement was solely required to relieve the discomfort. The pain stems from Rice’s knee injury from 2024, when he suffered a torn LCL, a damaged hamstring tendon, and a damaged PCL after colliding with quarterback Patrick Mahomes.
The surgery took place last week in Dallas. Schefter notes that Rice went under the knife without the knowledge that he’d soon be sentenced to 30 days in jail for violating the terms of his probation.
Rice is set to be released from jail on June 16th. This means he’ll miss some critical time that could have been spent rehabbing with the Chiefs medical staff. Schefter notes that Rice is still expected to be ready to go for training camp.
Rice is on probation for five years as a result of a 2024 hit-and-run crash that resulted in eight felony charges. His current jail sentence stems from a positive THC test. Rice was previously ordered to serve a 30-day sentence but was granted the ability to choose when he’d spend his time in jail. By violating the terms of his probation, he’s now being forced to serve that sentence immediately.
Rice was already slapped with a six-game suspension for the crash, and when coupled with his recovery from the knee injury and a subsequent concussion, the receiver has been limited to only 12 games over the past two years. He’s still been productive when he’s seen the field, averaging more than 70 yards per game while hauling in seven touchdowns across the 2024 and 2025 seasons.
Rice’s legal issues have already put the Chiefs in a difficult position, and his recovery from this knee surgery will continue to stress their WR depth. If Rice’s recovery extends into the regular season, the Chiefs will be eyeing a WR corps that features former first-round pick Xavier Worthy, Tyquan Thornton, and rookie fifth-round pick Cyrus Allen.