Rashee Rice (knee) not on injury report for Week 2

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.

No real surprise here after Rice was ruled out on Friday, with the Chiefs once again shorthanded as they look to remain one of two remaining undefeated teams in the league following the loss by the 49ers earlier in the day. Expect Xavier Worthy and Jalen Royals to serve as the top two receivers with Rice inactive and Tyquan Thornton done for the season, with Andrew Armstrong and rookie Cyrus Allen on hand to soak up situational snaps.

Rice didn’t practice all week despite Andy Reid’s optimistic spin that he’s a “quick healer.” It’s hard to make much sense of how available he’ll be for Week 8 at this point as Rice hasn’t practiced since before the team’s Week 5 bye. Xavier Worthy will again get a WR3-caliber workload as The Only Game In Town for the Chiefs wideouts.

Chiefs coach Andy Reid told reporters that Rice’s strain was only a “tweak” in his Week 4 post-game remarks. So much for that. The Chiefs will almost assuredly be without their No. 1 wide receiver against the Seahawks this week, leaving Xavier Worthy to handle the role.

Right tackle Jaylon Moore was also held out of practice with a concussion. Rice went down with the hamstring issue in Week 4. Even with a bye week to heal before Week 6, he wasn’t ready to return. A DNP today suggests he will miss at least one more game. Xavier Worthy led the Chiefs with seven catches for 73 yards in his absence last week. He would be in line for another high-usage game if Rice remains out for Week 7’s game against the Seahawks.

Rice did not come close to playing in this one and was ruled out on Friday. His status will be worth monitoring ahead of Week 7; Andy Reid called him a “quick healer” on Friday.

It seems like Xavier Worthy and Travis Kelce will be getting Only Game In Town treatment against the Chargers, with Cyrus Allen and Jalen Royals also in the mix at wideout now that Rice and Tyquan Thornton are both out. Andy Reid said Rice is “wanting to jump in on everything” and suggested he’s a “quick healer.” He has to be regarded as questionable for Week 7, but Reid’s words point to him having a chance to play in that one.

Rice strained his hamstring in Week 4. Although Chiefs coach Andy Reid initially said Rice only “tweaked” it, The Athletic’s Mike Silver reported a few hours later that Rice could be out for several weeks. The fact that Rice remains sidelined for the first two practices following his team’s Week 5 bye is a bad sign. He is firmly on the wrong side of questionable for Week 6 against the Chargers. If he can get in a limited session tomorrow, that could put him on track to play in Week 7 against the Seahawks.

Rice appeared to have a good chance at suiting up for Week 6 when Andy Reid spoke about it after Week 4’s win over the Raiders. Reid only said he “tweaked” his hammy. Even with a bye week to rest, it looks like Rice is now on the wrong side of questionable for Week 6. With Tyquan Thornton on IR, Xavier Worthy may be tasked with WR1 duties this week. He totaled four catches for 70 yards in his last outing and would be a solid FLEX play versus the Chargers if Rice can’t go.

After the game, Chiefs coach Andy Reid said Rice “tweaked” his hamstring, seemingly downplaying the severity of his injury. It’s possible Silver is speculating on how long Rice could be out given what we know about soft-tissue injuries. Rice didn’t return to the game on Sunday against the Raiders, but he could be seen working out on the sideline at various times and was also on the exercise bike. With the Chiefs now entering their bye week, it’s possible we won’t have more clarity on Rice’s potential absence until they return to prepare for Week 6 against the Chargers. We will check back in with any updates as the team provides them.