Chiefs rule out Rashee Rice (hamstring) for Week 6

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.

The Chiefs aren’t formally ruling him out just yet, but Rice’s day is as good as done with this latest update. He continues to go through tests on the hamstring he injured in the first quarter of Sunday’s game and will likely be ruled out in the near future. If his day is done, Rice will finish with zero receptions on zero targets in just six offensive snaps.

This news comes from the team’s X account. Rice exited in the first quarter of Sunday’s game and eventually made his way to the locker room after initially refusing to leave the field. CBS Sports’ Tracy Wolfson reported that Rice was noticeably frustrated on the sideline, which isn’t an encouraging sign as far as his return for this game is concerned.

It’s hard to tell what may have happened here, but Rice appeared to land awkwardly on his left foot after making a catch on a play that would be overturned by a penalty. Rice appeared to be grabbing at the back of his leg and immediately made his way to the sideline. We will provide an update when we receive one.

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.