Rashee Rice Suspended For Six-Game Amid Violation Of League’s Personal Conduct Policy
Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Rashee Rice has accepted a six-game suspension for violating the NFL’s personal conduct policy, the league announced Wednesday afternoon.
Rice, 25, was originally scheduled for a disciplinary hearing on Sept. 30 under the Collective Bargaining Agreement, but that session will no longer be needed. His suspension takes effect immediately, ruling him out until Oct. 19, when Kansas City faces the Las Vegas Raiders. He will be eligible for reinstatement starting Oct. 13.
The suspension is tied to Rice’s involvement in a multi-vehicle accident in Dallas earlier this year that left several people injured. He pleaded guilty to two third-degree felony charges connected to the incident.
Before Wednesday’s decision, Rice was expected to be available for the Chiefs’ Sept. 5 season opener in Brazil against the Los Angeles Chargers, along with three more games: Sept. 14 against the Philadelphia Eagles, Sept. 21 at the New York Giants, and Sept. 28 versus the Baltimore Ravens.
By agreeing to the six-game suspension, Rice will miss two additional contests: an Oct. 6 road matchup against the Jacksonville Jaguars and a home game versus the Detroit Lions on Oct. 12.
Rice pleaded guilty to two felony charges in Texas — collision involving serious bodily injury and racing on a highway resulting in bodily injury.
As part of the legal outcome, he received deferred adjudication on a 30-day jail sentence. The case will be dismissed if he successfully completes the terms of his probation.
Heading into the 2024 season as Kansas City’s top receiving option, Rice had recorded 24 catches before a knee injury in Week 4 ended his season. In his rookie campaign in 2023, he tallied 79 receptions for 938 yards and seven touchdowns.
Once Rice’s suspension becomes official, Kansas City can place him on the Reserve/Suspended List, which would free up a roster spot the team may need.
With Rice sidelined, second-year receiver Xavier Worthy steps into the role of the Chiefs’ top option at wideout. However, the depth behind him remains uncertain — the same problem Kansas City faced when Rice was placed on injured reserve in 2024.
The current 2025 receiving group includes Hollywood Brown, JuJu Smith-Schuster, Nikko Remigio, Tyquan Thornton, and rookie fourth-round pick Jalen Royals, who all survived Tuesday’s roster cuts. Earlier in the preseason, the Chiefs dealt Skyy Moore to the San Francisco 49ers.
Royals made a strong impression early in training camp, drawing comparisons to Rice due to his build and playing style. Recently, though, he has been sidelined with a knee issue. Head coach Andy Reid confirmed this week that Royals is among the players unable to participate in practice.