Rashee Rice, star wide receiver for the Kansas City Chiefs, was sidelined on Sunday following a collision with quarterback Patrick Mahomes during the Chiefs matchup with the LA Chargers. Rice was helped off the field and had his knee examined by medical personnel on the sideline before being taken to the locker room on a cart. He did not return.
When asked about it at halftime, head coach Andy Reid commented that the situation was "not good." He declined to give more detail on the injury, but sources told ESPN that he is feared to have suffered a torn ACL in his right knee. Rice will have an MRI on Monday to get a second opinion.
In the latest update, NFL insider Jordan Schultz said that the team is "fearing the worst," for their star wide receiver.
The fear for #Chiefs WR Rashee Rice is a season-ending torn ACL, per source. Coach Andy Reid said he will have an MRI in the morning, but the team is fearing the worst. Just absolutely awful. pic.twitter.com/u4nZqnfpw2
— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) September 29, 2024
The second-year receiver's spot will be a tough one for the Chiefs to fill as the weeks go on. Rice led the Chiefs in catches, targets, receiving yards and receiving touchdowns through the first three games of the season.
Kansas City Suffered Friendly Fire
He suffered the injury while trying to recover a Chargers fumble during an interception return. Mahomes overthrew tight end Travis Kelce, allowing Chargers cornerback Kristian Fulton to snag the interception and return it 29 yards. Rice caught up to Fulton and punched the ball loose for a fumble, but Mahomes hit his legs while the star quarterback ducked down to attempt a tackle on Fulton. Both Rashee Rice's knees were impacted by his collision with Mahomes, and the receiver's right knee hyperextended.
“See what Mahomes did there? If you look closely, he dives at Rashee Rice’s knees here in order to sideline him so he can build rapport with some of his other, less experienced receivers. What a player this guy is”
- Tony Romo pic.twitter.com/PWrcLRi7LG
— NFL Memes (@NFL_Memes) September 29, 2024
The Chiefs found a way to get a win regardless, as Kelce showed up for his first big game of the season with 89 yards on seven catches and Xavier Worthy flashed again to score on a 54-yard catch.
Rice's injury is the latest to jolt the Chiefs and their hopes for a high-scoring offense. Superstar running back Isaiah Pacheco fractured his fibula in the Chiefs win over Cincy and is expected to miss 6-8 weeks of action.
