'He can be one of the best receivers in the league' - Chiefs WR Rashee Rice's 2025 injury outlook better than ever despite absence from OTAs

With Phase III of the NFL offseason workout program officially underway, Kansas City Chiefs HC Andy Reid spoke to media members for the first time on Thursday.

Naturally, one of the biggest questions to answer was about the players' return to the field after injuries that occurred during the previous season. No injury hurt the Chiefs more than the season-ending injury that knocked out second-year WR Rashee Rice just four weeks into the 2024 NFL season.

Rice began the year with two 100-yard receiving games within the season's first three weeks. Unfortunately, during Week 4 against the Los Angeles Chargers, a collision with quarterback Patrick Mahomes after an interception resulted in a serious knee injury for Rice that necessitated surgery, ultimately cutting short his promising sophomore campaign. He was projected to amass over 1,600 receiving yards and 11 touchdown receptions, positioning him among the league's top receivers. 

Will Rice be able to hit the ground running in 2025, or will his knee injury limit his ability to see the field early? Andy Reid and Patrick Mahomes both gave updates regarding Rice on Thursday.

Latest update on Chiefs WR Rashee Rice's status following the 2024 knee injury

Chiefs WR Rashee Rice did not participate in the first of the team's three OTA practice weeks. According to Chiefs HC Andy Reid, this was actually due to an illness and nothing that had to do with Rice's knee injury.

"He actually was one of the guys under the weather, so we've kept him at home here," Reid said. "But in phase two, he was great. He just wasn't able to go this week. So, we kept him out, away from the guys."

Reid previously indicated in April that Rice would be ready to go by training camp. Rice has been posting consistent progress updates, which show him doing more and more. He was also among those who attended Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes' throwing sessions in Texas. Mahomes indicated that Rice looked like himself in the opportunities they've had to work this week.

"I mean, he looks like Rashee (Rice)," Mahomes said. "Obviously, having the injury sucked, but happening so early in the season, he was back like, right when the offseason started. And so he was up here, working hard, extremely hard, and he was back home, working extremely hard. And so I'll throw him with him in Dallas a little bit, and then getting them back out here, and there's no limitation. He's out there playing. He's making plays on the football field. He's explosive. He looks fast. And I mean, you saw the start of last season, I think he can be one of the best receivers in the league."

While it'd be nice to have him on the practice field this week, the Chiefs need Rice ready for the 2025 NFL season, not padless throwing camps, which he's already gone through twice in his career. Mahomes and Reid both know that. Beyond the injury, questions remain about Rice's status with the league on the field.

What about Chiefs WR Rashee Rice's off-field situation?

As things currently stand, the NFL has not provided an update regarding Rice's potential personal conduct policy suspension from his 2023 offseason automobile accident in the Dallas, Texas, area. His civil and criminal cases have been in a virtual standstill, which has also caused any NFL investigation into the matter to stall. Right now, the Chiefs are operating as if Rice will be available in Week 1, but that could change as we get closer to the 2025 NFL season.