Chiefs easing in WR Rashee Rice at training camp

For the first time since October 4th, the Chiefs listed Rice only with a knee issue. He had been managing a hamstring strain for more than a month, prior to today, and was typically limited early in the week. This is a great sign for his health moving forward. Rice is a WR2 against the Falcons.

Rice, as usual, led the Chiefs in targets. It was an unusually run-heavy game plan for the Chiefs against a Jets defense that showed no real interest in stopping Ken Walker. This performance comes off last week’s 56-yard, one-touchdown outing for Rice, who missed significant time with a hamstring injury. Rice profiles as a high-floor WR2/3 in most formats. He’ll face the run-funnel Falcons defense in Week 10.

Rice posted a 7/53/1 receiving line against the Broncos last week. He got in a limited session on Wednesday before upgrading to full on Thursday. He seems to be recovering effectively from his summer knee procedure and in-season hamstring injury. Rice is a borderline WR1/2 for this weekend’s game against the Jets.

Rice is on track to face the Jets this weekend, as expected. The Chiefs’ embattled wide receiver also reportedly filed for bankruptcy this week, theoretically adding extra incentive to play well enough for a decent contract when he enters free agency next offseason. Rice is a fantasy football WR2.

Rice returned from a multi-game absence because of the hamstring injury last week and he’s been on the injury report with the knee issue for most of the year. It doesn’t sound like either injury will prevent him from playing in Week 9. The limited session was likely maintenance. Rice led the Chiefs with eight targets in his first game back on Sunday. He’s been the Chiefs’ only consistently productive pass-catcher when healthy. He will be in the WR1 mix when he takes on the Jets this week.

Rice was heavily involved early in the game, catching three passes for 26 yards and a score on the Chiefs’ opening drive. His role, however, took a backseat to running back targets in the second half. He caught three balls for 15 yards in the final two quarters combined. Rice briefly appeared to score the game-winning touchdown on the final play of the game, but refs had already blown the play dead because of a false start. Even without the second touchdown, fantasy managers can be confident in Rice as the team’s No. 1 receiver and a low-end WR2 for fantasy purposes going forward. He will sit just inside the WR1 ranks for his Week 9 date with the Jets.

That was somewhat unexpected. Sneed missed Wednesday’s practice for personal reasons and was limited Thursday and Friday. He was moved to injured reserve a day later. The Chiefs are now down their top two corners after Mansoor Delane was ruled out for Week 8, creating a much softer matchup for the Broncos on Sunday.

Rice will make his return to the game-day roster after missing two games due to a hamstring injury sustained in Week 4, returning as the top option through the air for an offense that has struggled with him off the field. The Chiefs scored a combined 25 points against the Chargers and Seahawks without Rice, the latter of which tied the fewest points scored in quarterback Patrick Mahomes’ career. Fantasy managers can comfortably re-insert Rice into rosters as an upside WR2 against the Broncos, against whom Rice caught both targets for 19 yards and a touchdown in Week 1.

That now marks consecutive days on the practice field for the veteran receiver whom has missed the previous two games. The Chiefs also had their bye in Week 5, giving Rice a full three weeks of recovery, which combines with his recent practice availability to make it likely he returns to face the Broncos. The Chiefs managed just 25 combined points in the two games without Rice.

Rice, who hasn’t played since Week 4 against the Raiders, would be a big addition to the struggling Kansas City offense if he’s able to practice this week and suit up in Week 8 against the Broncos. Rice had been dominating targets in the Chiefs’ check-down offense, and would likely continue in that role if he can return this weekend. No other pass catcher in the Chiefs offense is a must-play for fantasy purposes for now.