The Kansas City Chiefs may be without Rashee Rice in their wide-receiver lineup.
Rice is currently facing legal trouble due to his alleged role in a multi-car collision in Dallas that injured at least four people in April.
New details emerged Wednesday about Rice’s situation, including if a suspension is on the horizon.
Will the NFL Suspend Chiefs WR Rashee Rice?
On March 30, Rice was traveling at a speed of 119 mph in a Lamborghini when he collided with six other vehicles. Dallas police reported that Rice was driving in the left-hand corner of a Dallas highway when his car got struck by a Corvette being driven by SMU cornerback Teddy Knox.
The Chiefs wide receiver is currently facing at least six felony counts for his involvement in the collision. He’s also facing potential league discipline.
Before the 2024 NFL Draft, ESPN NFL insider Adam Schefter reported that the Chiefs were considering moving up to take a wide receiver during the first round, all due to Rice’s legal situation. They ultimately drafted Xavier Worthy at No. 28 after a trade with the Buffalo Bills.
As for Rice, one insider believes he won’t play a full season come September.
Appearing on Steve Smith Sr.’s “Agent 89 Breakdown” podcast, NFL insider James Palmer believes Rice will indeed be suspended ahead of the 2024 season. Palmer mentions that Rice could be facing a suspension of “half a season at least.”
James Palmer letting this one fly on Steve Smith’s Agent 89 Breakdown Show..
Rashee Rice *IS GONNA* be suspended and that they’re [Chiefs] *EXPECTING HALF A SEASON AT LEAST* 🫣🫣 pic.twitter.com/UTdtRdumP1
— Matt Lane (@Matty_KCSN) May 1, 2024
However, NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport provided additional context during the final day of the NFL Draft — even indicating Rice may not be suspended at all for the 2024 season.
“As you guys laid out, the offense without Rashee Rice there, what we don’t know is whether or not he’ll be eligible to start the season with the Kansas City Chiefs. And really, this depends on how quickly the legal process plays out,” Rapoport said during the Saturday portion of the NFL Draft. “If his case is — and he’s been charged with, I believe six charges — if his case wraps up, then there is potential the NFL could issue its discipline and he would likely be suspended. If the case is still ongoing, as we’ve seen with several others, then likely he’d be eligible to play this season. Discipline would be handled the following season. So the timing is really an issue, not whether or not he’ll actually be suspended.”
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell Comments on Rice’s Situation
Rice’s situation falls under the league’s personal conduct policy. Violations can lead to half-a-year or full-season suspensions levied by NFL commissioner Roger Goodell.
The commissioner, however, said Friday during the 2024 NFL Draft to ESPN’s Mike Greenberg that he’s allowing the legal process to “move through” for Rice.
“We obviously are following it closely, and as soon as they’re done with the process, we will be engaged and prepared to look at that under all of our Personal Conduct Policies,” Goodell told Greenberg.
As for Chiefs owner Clark Hunt, he told reporters Saturday that while he’s very disappointed in Rice’s situation, it’s still a legal case that he can’t provide any further context on.
However, Hunt did speak about Rice’s future with the organization.
“He is still a member of the Kansas City Chiefs, and I think [head coach] Andy [Reid] mentioned, we’ll just evaluate that as we go forward,” Hunt said.