Rashee Rice (hamstring/knee) logs LP on Wednesday

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 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.

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.

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.