The NFL has finalized its decision on Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Rashee Rice’s suspension. In July, Rice was officially sentenced to five years of probation, including 30 days of jail time spread over that period, for his role in a multi-vehicle crash on a Dallas, Texas, highway in 2024. How many games will Rice miss during the 2025 NFL season?
Latest on Rashee Rice’s Suspension
The NFL recently announced that Rice has officially been suspended for six games without pay. While Rice was expected to face a suspension for violating the NFL’s personal conduct policy, it was initially thought that the discipline would be administered after his hearing with the league on September 30.
Instead, Rice will miss Weeks 1-6, resulting in a major blow to the Chiefs’ offense, as he is widely regarded as the team’s best receiver. With Rice set to return in Week 7, he will miss games against the Los Angeles Chargers, Philadelphia Eagles, New York Giants, Baltimore Ravens, Jacksonville Jaguars, and Detroit Lions before being able to suit up against the Las Vegas Raiders.
After being selected by Kansas City in the second round of the 2023 NFL Draft, Rice quickly emerged as a star, catching 79 passes for 938 yards and seven touchdowns. He was on pace for an even stronger 2024 season but suffered a torn ACL in the team’s fourth game, limiting him to 288 yards and two touchdowns last season.
Airing it out to Rashee Rice 🎯
(by @FedEx) September 16, 2024
Rice’s legal situation stems from a car accident during the 2024 offseason in Dallas, which led to a 30-day jail sentence in July. Unlike similar cases involving Vikings WR Jordan Addison, who received a three-game suspension, Rice’s case didn’t involve a DUI.
Instead, the wide receiver caused a multi-car collision through reckless driving, traveling at 119 miles per hour at the time of the crash. He didn’t assist the victims and fled the scene on foot, though he later expressed remorse and was sentenced in July.
Rice’s Fantasy Outlook
A knee injury robbed us of what could have been a prolific season for Rice in 2024. Rice was the WR3 in fantasy over the season’s first three weeks, averaging 21.6 PPR points per game. During that stretch, he averaged 9.7 targets, 8.0 receptions, and 96.0 receiving yards per game, successfully turning a strong rookie season into a legitimate alpha role.
Looking to 2025, Rice is one of the most complicated players to project in fantasy football. In addition to his six-game suspension, he faces plenty of competition for targets. The Chiefs not only returned Travis Kelce but also have 2024 first-round pick Xavier Worthy, who could be poised for a breakout season. Also, players like Hollywood Brown and rookie Jalen Royals will also command targets in 2025.
Without the suspension, it would be easy to rank Rice as a high-end WR2 with weekly top-five upside given his role as the slot receiver for Patrick Mahomes. However, he will have to earn his role once he returns in Week 7, and his targets could be reduced if Worthy continues to make explosive plays down the field.
It is safe to draft Rice if he slides in your fantasy draft (as he could be a league-winner in the fantasy playoffs), but be sure to invest early-round picks in wide receivers to navigate the time with him on your bench.
