The Kansas City Chiefs have not provided much information on Rashee Rice's knee injury that he sustained in the win over the Los Angeles Chargers. However, they provided one clue on the severity with their latest roster move.
The Chiefs announced on Thursday afternoon that they have placed Rice on injured reserve, meaning that he will miss a minimum of four games. Rice is slated to undergo further testing next week once the swelling in his knee subsides. He'll travel to Texas to visit a specialist who should provide him with more clarity on his injury.
Rice will miss Week 5 vs. the New Orleans Saints, Week 7 at the San Francisco 49ers, Week 8 at the Las Vegas Raiders, and Week 9 vs. the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The Chiefs have a bye week in Week 6, but players who are placed on injured reserve are required to miss a minimum of four games, not four weeks. This means Rice will first be eligible to return against the Denver Broncos at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium in Week 10. That is, of course, should he receive a best-case scenario outcome upon further testing of his knee injury.
More on Chiefs WR Rashee Rice's injury
Rice was first injured during the Week 4 game against the Los Angeles Chargers in the first quarter. He suffered an apparent right knee injury in a collision with QB Patrick Mahomes on an interception return .
Rice was carted off the field and suspected of suffering a torn ACL . Initial testing revealed no conclusive evidence of a season-ending ACL tear. NFL insiders indicated that more testing was needed along with second opinions to determine the best course of action for Rice.
Speaking to media members on Thursday, Chiefs HC Andy Reid confirmed recent reports that Rice needs to wait for the swelling to subside in his knee to undergo more tests.
"All right, as far as the guys not practicing today, Rashee (Rice) is really the only one," Reid said. "Rashee's situation is, we're getting the swelling out of his knee, and then he's got further tests next week. So, really don't have anything to tell you."
Asked whether there was any greater sense of optimism surrounding the injury, Reid kept things real with reporters.
"It's just wait and see," Reid explained. "You know, that's just where we're at. And for his sake, we're really hoping that things work out for the best, but let's just see where it goes, and leave it up to the doctors to see. I'm definitely not a doctor."
But while there is a question on the severity, it seems they knew enough to place him on injured reserve. The question now becomes, will Rice be able to return during the 2024 NFL season?
Rice led all Chiefs receivers in 2023 with 79 receptions, 938 receiving yards, and seven touchdown receptions. His 24 receptions for 288 yards and two touchdowns in 2024 also led the team in all categories through the season's first three games.
Without Rice, the Chiefs have the following receivers on the 53-man roster:
- Xavier Worthy
- Justin Watson
- JuJu Smith-Schuster
- Mecole Hardman
- Skyy Moore
So let's see who steps up in his absence.
Related: Chiefs' offensive injuries don't stop with Rashee Rice ahead of Week 5 showdown with Saints on MNF
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