The Kansas City Chiefs have placed wide receiver Rashee Rice on the injured reserve due to his knee injury. He will miss at least the next four games for Kansas City.
ESPN NFL insider Adam Schefter reported the news of the placement on social media.
Chiefs now have placed wide receiver Rashee Rice on injured reserve, meaning he’s out a minimum of four games.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) October 3, 2024
Chiefs head coach Andy Reid said that Rice would have tests done and that more information would come out next week.
“We’ll get testing done and let you know.”
Earlier on Thursday, reports stated that Rice’s knee was far too swollen to have any tests done on it. The team will need to wait for the swelling to go down before they can accurately assess the severity of the situation.
Rice suffered his knee injury in Week 4 against the Los Angeles Chargers. He was carted off the field and the team initially believed that it would be a season-ending injury.
While the likelihood of him missing the remainder of the season is still there, the original fear may not represent the full story. We will know more once the testing is able to do a full scope of his knee.
ATLANTA, GEORGIA – SEPTEMBER 22: Rashee Rice #4 of the Kansas City Chiefs reacts after making a catch during the first quarter against the Atlanta Falcons at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on September 22, 2024 in Atlanta, Georgia. Rice has been placed on IR.
Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images
With Rice now missing at least the next four games, Kansas City is going to need others to heavily step up. The Chiefs’ offensive attack has looked a little shaky to start the year but they have found different ways to survive, going 4-0 in the first four weeks of the season.
Chiefs star quarterback Patrick Mahomes knows first-hand just how special of a player Rice is.
“He’s a complete receiver,” quarterback Patrick Mahomes said. “He’s getting better and better and he can do it all. I think people see the short stuff and they get enamored by it because it’s so special when he catches the ball, but he can catch the ball down the field, he can block, he can do whatever — everything it takes to be a good receiver in this league.”
So far this season, Rice has caught 24 passes for 288 and two touchdowns. He registered 79 catches for 938 yards and seven scores during his rookie season in 2023.
Rice has emerged as the most consistent threat for the Chiefs so his absence will certainly change how they play. Kansas City has matchups against the Saints, San Francisco 49ers, Las Vegas Raiders, and Tampa Bay Buccaneers over the next four games.
They will be looking to continue their winning ways until he is able to return to the field this season.
