Chiefs’ Rashee Rice was so good pre-injury, suspension. What to expect vs. Raiders
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Rashee Rice rose to Chiefs' top receiver in 2023, then missed 22 games.
- Rice averaged 6.7 catches late in 2023 and posted a 130-yard playoff game.
- Sunday matchup highlights Smith, Jeanty and Dylan Laube; Chiefs protect rush streak.
It’s been so long since he’s played that it’s easy to forget the remarkable progress made by wide receiver Rashee Rice during his rookie season.
We remember the impact. By the end of 2023, Rice had become the Chiefs’ top receiver despite not starting in the first six games of the season. Kansas City’s starting wideouts for the opener that season were Marquez Valdes-Scantling, Skyy Moore and Kadarius Toney.
Over his first nine games in 2023, Rice averaged 3.6 receptions on 4.6 targets. In his final seven games, those numbers jumped to 6.7 and 8.7.
He carried the momentum into the playoffs with a career best 130-yard receiving effort in the Wild Card Game victory over the Miami Dolphins. Rice also logged a touchdown on that frigid evening at Arrowhead.
He was on his way to a huge 2024 when he suffered a year-ending knee injury early in Week 4 last season. His projected numbers would have been record setting for the Chiefs: 136 receptions for 1,632 yards.
With the injury and a six-game NFL suspension for his role in a Dallas car crash last year, Rice has missed the last 22 games. He’s played in 24.
Who knows what happens when the Chiefs meet the Las Vegas at noon Sunday at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. But offensive coordinator Matt Nagy is among those who can’t wait to see.
“I half get goosebumps just thinking about when he goes out there and what he does to this offense,” Nagy said.
Here’s what else to watch in Sunday’s game:
Chiefs player to watch: RB Brashard Smith
The workload is increasing for the Chiefs’ seventh-round draft pick and so is Patrick Mahomes’ confidence in Smith, who has three receptions in each of the last three games.
Smith has more receiving targets (13) than rushing attempts (eight), and he’s looking for his first NFL touchdown. He missed a practice with an illness this week, but he returned the next day and should be good to go, KC coach Andy Reid said.
Smith also has proved valuable as a kick return specialist, teaming with Nikko Remigio. He had a 63-yard return two weeks ago at Jacksonville called back because of a penalty.
Raiders player to watch: RB Ashton Jeanty
The Raiders’ first pick in this spring’s NFL Draft, and the first running back selected at No. 6 overall, is coming off his busiest game.
Jeanty got a season-best 23 attempts and 75 rushing yards in last week’s victory over the Tennessee Titans. He already has logged a 100-yard game, rushing for 138 in a loss to the Chicago Bears.
“Every week he’s gotten better and better,” Chiefs defensive line cocah Joe Cullen said.
The Chiefs hope to keep alive a streak of holding opposing running backs to less than 100 yards. The last time that happened: Christmas Day 2023 against the Raiders, when Zamir White rumbled for 143 yards.
White is still with the Raiders, appearing in four games this season (he has been inactive for two).
Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson, with 122 yards, was the last player to rush for 100 yards against the Chiefs. That was in the 2024 season opener.
Special teams: Raiders return man Dylan Laube
With every kick being returned, Laube ranks among the best with a 27.2-yard average. He suffered a hamstring injury in last week’s game and missed a practice. But he returned on a limited basis later in the week