NFL issues Chiefs WR Rashee Rice six-game suspension

Rice was initially scheduled to have a hearing date for his suspension, related to a speed racing incident in Dallas last year, on Sept. 30.

There was speculation among league insiders that the NFL might want to delay Rice's punishment until Kansas City played its season opener against the Los Angeles Chargers in Sao Paulo, Brazil, on Sept. 5.

That wasn't the case.

Per Pelissero, there was no plan for Rice to play before the hearing.

"Contrary to reports, there was never an agreement or plan to have Rashee Rice play the first four games before a Sept. 30 hearing, which was scheduled as a save-the-date," Pelissero wrote. "A settlement was always the most likely outcome, and now the sides are finalizing."

Per the league's website, the NFL initially proposed a double-digit game suspension for Rice. The league and NFLPA were unable to agree on the length of punishment, which was the reason for the Sept. 30 hearing date.

The settlement will allow Rice to return for the Chiefs' Week 7 game against the Las Vegas Raiders. While being absent for six games isn't ideal, it's a much better outcome than missing more than half of the regular season — a rarity for the league to issue.