Report: Rashee Rice likely to play in at least first 4 games of season

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (KCTV) - Chiefs fans may have received a little more clarity for when they can expect a possible suspension for one of the team’s top offensive playmakers.

ESPN NFL reporter Adam Schefter posted to social media Thursday morning that the NFL disciplinary hearing for Rashee Rice is set to take place on Sept. 30.

The 25-year-old Chiefs wideout pleaded guilty to two third-degree felony charges on July 17. Rice’s guilty plea stemmed from a crash involving serious bodily injury and racing on a highway causing bodily injury. He was sentenced to five years of probation and 30 days of jail time that can be served during those five years.

Rice and his former SMU teammate, Theodore Knox, were racing sports cars on a Dallas freeway in April 2024 when they crashed, causing a chain-reaction involving six cars. The crash happened shortly after 6 p.m. on March 30, 2024, during rush hour traffic as Rice drove a 2020 Lamborghini Urus SUV at 119 miles per hour.

As part of Rice’s plea agreement, Rice is required to pay restitution to all the victims for their medical expenses. The restitution totaled $115,481.91, according to the Dallas County District Attorney’s Office.

“I fully apologize for the harm I caused to innocent drivers and their families,” Rice stated after his conviction.

If the disciplinary hearing with the NFL is held on Sept. 30, Rice would likely be eligible to play with the Chiefs the following:

• Sept. 5 vs LA Chargers (in Brazil)
• Sept. 14 vs Eagles
• Sept. 21 @ Giants
• Sept. 28 vs Ravens

After a standout rookie season, Rice caught 24 passes for 288 yards and two touchdowns through his first three games last season. But in Week 4, after Patrick Mahomes had thrown an interception, the quarterback accidentally dived into Rice’s leg as they were trying to make the tackle, tearing the lateral collateral ligament in the wide receiver’s knee. The injury ended his year.

Rice had surgery and was back for summer workouts, and he’s been full-go throughout training camp.

Editor’s Note: This is a breaking news story and will be updated.