Chiefs have a good idea how long Rashee Rice will be suspended

The Kansas City Chiefs are practically guaranteed to lose Rashee Rice at some point in the 2025 regular season for multiple games. The real questions at this point come down to two things for the third-year wide receiver: length and timing.

Back in April 2024, Rice and another involved person, Theodore Knox, caused an accident on a Dallas highway after driving recklessly at high speeds. The resulting injuries have already cost Rice via a civil suit, and he was also charged with eight felonies, including aggravated assault.

After Rice's legal case was closed, after being sentenced to 30 days in jail over a five-year probationary period, attention in the matter turned completely to the looming suspension, expected to be handed down by the National Football League at any possible moment.

Speculation has provided an expected range of games suspended for Rice, with guesses ranging from a couple of games to a half season. However, Sports Illustrated's Albert Breer has word that the Chiefs are expecting the total to land at the midpoint of those predictions: between four to six games.

Following his visit to Chiefs training camp, Breer also noted that the Chiefs feel ready for it, and will turn to the duo of rookie Jalen Royals and veteran JuJu Smith-Schuster to occupy the slot when and if Rice is finally suspended.

If that comes at the beginning of the season, Royals might not be ready as a rookie receiver in Andy Reid's offense. However, the Chiefs have praised him as a quick learner, and the fourth-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft is being given plenty of meaningful reps in practice.

Rice is a pivotal piece in the Chiefs' passing attack—perhaps more important than any other weapon given just how much Patrick Mahomes trusts him as a volume target to move the chains and sustain drives. The offense sputtered after losing Rice to a season-ending injury in the first quarter of the season with subsequent surgery on his LCL.

The Chiefs have other receivers to handle the load, but it further complicates matters that Marquise "Hollywood" Brown is also out in training camp due to an ankle injury. It mirrors the injury situation last season for the Chiefs with Brown and Rice both missing the vast majority of the season.

Four to six games is quite a bit of the season to miss for Rice, but if it comes early in the schedule, it should allow the offense to settle in when it matters most. The final verdict from the NFL should be coming soon.