The Kansas City Chiefs spent this past offseason reloading on offense to give quarterback Patrick Mahomes a reliable group of receivers at resemble the core he had during the Tyreek Hill days. However, one major question mark that loomed during the spring and summer months was the availability of second-year wide receiver Rashee Rice.
Rice got into some legal trouble after being involved in a multiple-vehicular crash on an expressway in Dallas back in April. Since then, there’s been speculation regarding a suspension and when the Chiefs would be without one of their best playmakers from last season’s Super Bowl run and for how long.
Rice was arrested and released from jail after posting bail and has been with the Chiefs since, attending the club’s OTAs, mini-camp sessions, training camp practice, and suiting up for every preseason game.
As the months went by, Rice’s legal case still remains tied up and without a court date. On Thursday, NFL spokesperson Brian McCarthy addressed the status of Rice during the league’s conference call with reporters. According to the NFL insider Albert Breer, McCarthy doesn’t anticipate Rice will be on the Commissioner Roger Goodell exempt list, nor will he be suspended.
The NFL typically prefers to do its own investigating and suspend players after the legal process is complete. Rice admitted his involvement in the multi-car crash in Dallas and has cooperated with law enforcement throughout the process. The former SMU standout is facing eight counts for his involvement in the crash.
Eventually, Rice will have to pay the consequences for what he did last spring but in the meantime, it appears he won’t miss a snap for the Chiefs this fall. Last season, Rice caught 79 passes for 938 yards and seven touchdowns.
