Kansas City Chiefs teammates react to Rashee Rice’s return to the team facility
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Rashee Rice returns to Chiefs’ facility mid-suspension for limited activities.
- Teammates cite Rice’s presence as morale boost and mentorship influence.
- Rice eligible to rejoin Chiefs’ lineup in Week 7 against Las Vegas Raiders.
Rashee Rice is back. Well … in the team facility, at least.
While the Kansas City Chiefs receiver still has three more weeks left to serve on a six-game NFL suspension tied to a multi-vehicle crash in Dallas in March 2024, reaching the halfway point of the penalty permits him to return to the building in a limited capacity.
Quarterback Patrick Mahomes described Rice’s mere presence in the locker room as “huge” for morale.
“(Rice) he always has a smile on his face, and you could tell the guys, they like him,” Mahomes said. “(He’s) kind of like JuJu (Smith-Schuster). He’s one of those guys that’s been here, and he’s won a Super Bowl.
“Even though he’s young, he can be a leader for those guys in the room of how we work and how we get after things. Obviously, he can’t practice, but he can be in the meetings and listen to the stuff that we’re working (on) and (it) definitely gives a boost to the whole receiving room and the whole offense.”
The Chiefs play host to the Baltimore Ravens to GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium on Sunday in a late-afternoon clash. With both teams having lost two of three games to start the season, one AFC contender is guaranteed to leave the field with a dreaded 1-3 record.
Ideally, the Chiefs would have Rice on the field for such a critical game. But they remain optimistic about the potential return of another injured receiver, Xavier Worthy.
Smith-Schuster said Rice is helping to mold Worthy on the field.
“It means a lot, man — (Rice’s) energy, his attitude he brings to the game is awesome,” Smith-Schuster said. “Just even him being around in the locker room, in the meeting rooms, it’s cool to see him that he’s back and he’s getting back into football again and we’re excited to have him back.”
Ahead of Kansas City’s Week 2 game against the Philadelphia Eagles, several of Rice’s Chiefs teammates donned “FREE 4” T-shirts in support of Rice as they warmed up.
The overall message wasn’t great. Later, coach Andy Reid reasoned that the gesture was a sign of love and support for Rice rather than protest of the league’s punishment. “I think beyond just the receiver room, his energy impacts the entire team,” wideout and return man Nikko Remigio said. “Just having him around is great for everybody.”
Rice will miss the Chiefs’ games against the Ravens, Jacksonville Jaguars and Detroit Lions before making his return to the lineup against the Las Vegas Raiders in Week 7.
