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Chiefs WR Rashee Rice's eventual return from suspension will have an unintended impact on Dave Toub's special teams unit

Originally posted on A to Z Sports | By Charles Goldman | Last updated Oct 4, 2025 12:43 PM ET

While Rashee Rice is back with his teammates at the team facilities , the Kansas City Chiefs have two more games to get through before he can return to the lineup from his six-week suspension and play.

Rice's return is heavily anticipated for the offense, but it could have some unintended consequences on the offense and special teams. Chiefs special teams coordinator Dave Toub has already seen his numbers dwindle upon Xavier Worthy's return. He expects things to further change with his special teams unit when Rice returns. That includes one particular player getting some more work in his phase of the game.

"I think when Rashee (Rice) comes back, I'm going to lose another guy," Toub told reporters on Friday. "And then all of a sudden, you know, everybody gets pushed (down the depth chart). So, I'm looking forward to, you know, Tyquan (Thornton). He brings a dynamic explosiveness to the return game."

Thornton's reps on special teams decreased after Week 1 and 2, dropping to zero in Weeks 3 and 4. Toub seems to suggest that Thornton could be getting more work in the return game when Rice gets back. We also know that he can work as a gunner, based on what Toub said during training camp. Thornton has one kick return for 28 yards on the season thus far.

Aug 9, 2025; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Kansas City Chiefs special teams coordinator Dave Toub against the Arizona Cardinals during a preseason NFL game at State Farm Stadium. Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

Who is the 53rd man on the Chiefs' roster once Rashee Rice returns?

The Chiefs will have a decision to make once Rice is back from suspension. They'll need to clear one roster spot to activate him to the 53-man roster ahead of the team's Week 7 game with the Las Vegas Raiders. If we're to believe the Chiefs' "unofficial" depth chart, the wide receiver room looks as follows.

Xavier Worthy
Hollywood Brown
JuJu Smith-Schuster
Tyquan Thornton
Jalen Royals
Nikko Remigio
Jason Brownlee

Toub seems to expect that this will impact one of his players, but it's hard to imagine someone like Nikko Remigio getting cut, given his success as a return specialist. That leaves Jason Brownlee with a target on his back.

Expert analysis on Chiefs' upcoming 53-man roster decision

Jason Brownlee has 21 offensive snaps and 10 special teams snaps through the first three weeks of the 2025 NFL season.
As soon as Jalen Royals and Xavier Worthy were back in the lineup in Week 4 vs. the Ravens, Brownlee was made a healthy scratch.
Expect Brownlee to be inactive for the Chiefs' games against the Jacksonville Jaguars and Detroit Lions, unless new injuries occur.
When Rashee Rice gets back, they'll take it one step further and release Brownlee from the 53-man roster, unless any other injuries occur between now and then.

Brownlee hasn't helped himself enough on offense, with one target and no catches in the first three weeks of the season. Carrying eight receivers on the 53-man roster also seems like overkill when you've also got three tight ends and four running backs.

The Chiefs will have to hope that he clears waivers and can make it to the practice squad, but that's not a given with teams across the league dealing with injuries at wide receiver.

This article first appeared on A to Z Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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