So they’re saying there’s a chance?
Chiefs wide receiver Rashee Rice is slated to undergo knee surgery on Tuesday, according to multiple reports.
The silver lining is that the surgery is to repair Rice’s LCL, not an ACL tear as previously feared.
Therefore, according to NFL Media’s Ian Rapoport, although Rice is “expected” to miss the rest of the season, the recovery time is about three months and he should be good to go in 2025.
“It’s unlikely that Chiefs WR Rashee Rice will play again this season, but doctors will not know for sure until they perform surgery Tuesday morning,” added ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
The language from both NFL insiders stops short of outright declaring Rice’s season to be over.
Rice’s injury came during the course of friendly fire, as quarterback Patrick Mahomes collided with Rice as he was attempting to make a tackle after throwing an interception during last Sunday’s game against the Chargers.
“I didn’t notice it in the moment, I more worried about trying to get the ball,” Mahomes told reporters last week. “But obviously, was just trying to make a play and it happens whenever you’re trying to make tackles.
“I mean, when I saw the replay, I felt like s–t that I hit Rashee. I think that’s pretty much all — I mean, I wasn’t worried about myself. I was worried about, hopefully, his injury and hoping it wasn’t as bad as it looked because I was the one that hit him.”
Rice, the Chiefs’ top receiver, had 24 catches for 288 yards and two touchdowns this season.
Off the field, Rice has pending legal troubles after he caused a multi-car collision on a Texas highway while racing a friend at high speeds during the offseason.