Rashee Rice of the Kansas City Chiefs may be available for their season opener against the Baltimore Ravens because the NFL is allegedly yet to meet with the team to discuss a suspension while Rice is being investigated for his role in a crash in Texas.
Rice, entering his second season in professional American Football, has found his offseason marred by legal drama as he faces eight felony charges and a lawsuit for his role in a hit-and-run in downtown Dallas.
He was then also accused of assaulting a photographer on May 9, although there likely won’t be charges from the police. However, since the wide receiver’s season is in jeopardy, the NFL could still suspend him for this.
However, with the Chiefs‘ season kicking off on September 5 against the Ravens, there is a big question of whether he will be involved or whether it will be Hollywood Brown or Xavier Worthy leading the snaps from Patrick Mahomes.
Yet Mike Florio, of ProFootballTalk.com, reports the NFL has not yet met with the Chiefs or Rice. It means a disciplinary case will not be concluded in time so he should be available to clash with Lamar Jackson on Thursday Night Football.
“We have been monitoring developments in the matter,” a spokesperson for the NFL told ProFootballTalk.com. “Following the conclusion of the legal process, the NFL will review the matter under the Personal Conduct Policy.”
However, the Commissioner of the NFL could still opt for the Commissioner Exempt list, but Florio thinks this is not something that Roger Goodell will elect to do. The policy tends to be reserved for domestic violence cases.
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In 2023, Rice caught 79 passes for 938 yards and seven touchdowns, helping the Chiefs defeat the San Francisco 49ers in the Super Bowl for the second time in a row at Allegiant Stadium in Nevada.
If he is eligible and selected by Coach Andy Reid, he could step onto the field on Thursday, September 5 against the Ravens on opening night.
