Rapoport: Rice not expected to be suspended again

Rice’s seven receptions were easily a new season best, though he’s now cleared 80 yards in back-to-back contests. Rice’s nine targets were no joke on a day where Patrick Mahomes was limited to 24 attempts as the Chiefs ran just 49 plays. Rice was also the intended target on Mahomes’ “interception,” which in reality was a ball Rice batted into the air. Not good, but neither was the pass. It was behind the wideout, who was laying on the ground. We doubt Mahomes holds it against him. Rice will remain a solid WR2 for Week 4 in Vegas.

An interesting development from this one were the 10 targets filtered to running back Kenneth Walker, who gained emphasis through the air in the short areas of the field typically accounted for by Rice and tight end Travis Kelce. The Colts also utilized elevated rates of man coverage until the departure of cornerback Charvarius Ward, against which Rice has clear negative splits. He did break free for a 31-yard gain, one of two Mahomes completions to go for more than 30 yards. Rice remains a volume-driven WR2 with clear WR3 downside, in an offense now more intent on featuring the backfield. He remains a touchdown-dependent WR2 against the Dolphins in Week 3.

Rice earned only two targets in Week 1, yet still technically warrants WR2 treatment based on his theoretical role in the offense, along with his past WR1 performances. The Chiefs notably faced the Broncos’ top-tier defense last week and will get a far softer matchup against the Colts in Week 2.

Rashee Rice (knee) is also practicing in full. Both players underwent offseason knee procedures and had slow ramp-ups during the summer. Both players were active for Week 1 and found the end zone. Mahomes did so on the ground, putting the notion that he would be hampered by the knee issue to rest. The passing attack still looked shaky in Week 1, but there are no health concerns for either player. Mahomes will be a low-end QB1 versus the Colts, and Rice will hold a spot in the WR2 ranks.

Rice saw only two targets as the Chiefs clearly had a ground-heavy game plan to ease quarterback Patrick Mahomes back into action in his first game since tearing his ACL in 2025. Furthermore, Rice was largely unable to generate separation against a stingy Denver secondary, oftentimes locked down in man coverage. Even his touchdown was uninspiring aside from a great effort to bounce off the first tackler. Rice appears to be a shaky fantasy bet for managers that invested an early-round pick into his services, particularly in the coming weeks against poor competition. Rice will be a speculative WR3 against the Colts in Week 2.

Rice is evidently good to go for Week 1 after a tumultuous offseason, which included a knee operation and a jail stint. The Chiefs’ No. 1 wide receiver looked sluggish in training camp while rookie WR Cyrus Allen shined, but Rice’s status as the entrenched top target earner counts for something. Rice should be viewed as a WR2 entering the season.

The Chiefs are doing the same thing with CB L’Jarius Sneed. There is nothing to be worried about here. Chiefs coach Andy Reid said the team is “just building them up,” which will “take a little bit of time.” Rice is still working on conditioning at this point, but once his cardio is good to go, we should see him practicing fully. He was cleared to practice on July 24th after undergoing an offseason clean-up procedure on his knee. Rice is a WR2 with WR1 upside.

It appears as though Rice’s 30-day jail stay did not negatively impact his recovery from the cleanup procedure he underwent in May. The 26-year-old wide receiver is immensely talented, yet off-field concerns have kept the Chiefs’ front office from signing him to an extension this offseason. If he can stay healthy and focused this summer and turn in a highly productive season, he could end up earning a substantial payday in Kansas City or in free agency next offseason. Chiefs veterans report for training camp on July 28th.

Reid gave a meandering response when asked about the team’s discussions with the league regarding Rice’s latest off-field issues. Rice is currently serving a 30-day jail sentence for violating his probation. Per Reid, the team spoke with the league, and “as far as any further ado to that, there’s been no talk about anything further.” Reid said only, “don’t know,” when reporters tried to clarify whether Rice might be suspended. The Chiefs are evidently “moving forward, just normal as we go here.” Drawing a firm conclusion from this is difficult, but we suppose that the fact that the league did not bring up a possible suspension when speaking with the team is a positive sign.

This doesn’t come as much of a surprise. Despite a productive 156-1,797-14 line in 28 career games, recurring legal issues have caught up to Rice here. The former second-round pick is entering the final year of his rookie contract and would ordinarily be in line for an extension here, but Rice, who was recently sentenced to 30 days in jail for violating his probation, will need to wait on that. Rice will miss OTAs and mandatory minicamp as a result of his prison stint, and will need to impress both on and off the field this upcoming season if he hopes to secure a long-term extension next offseason. He caught 53 passes for 571 yards and five touchdowns in eight games last season and has averaged 64.2 receiving yards per game in his career to go with 7.5 targets per game. Assuming he’s good to go for the start of this season, Rice will profile as a fringe WR1/WR2 with tons of upside.