KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The Kansas City Chiefs will be without top wide receiver Rashee Rice for the rest of the season.
Rice underwent a successful LCL surgery on Tuesday and is expected to make a full recovery, according to reports. There was also a repair done to his hamstring tendon and there was no structural damage or tears to the ACL or meniscus or any long-term concerns.
There was a glimmer of hope that Rice could return this season, and although that's out the picture, this is considered the best case scenario.
Rice suffered the injury in Week 4 against the Los Angeles Chargers after Patrick Mahomes collided with Rice's knee when he was trying to make tackle after throwing an interception.
The second-year pro looked like he was headed for a breakout season. He was the Chiefs most productive offensive player at the time of the injury, leading the team in every major receiving category.
Rice's absence now leaves the Chiefs without what were expected to be their top two receiving targets with him and Hollywood Brown out for the season. There is still hope for him to return during the postseason.
The Chiefs are also without running back without Isiah Pacheco for an extended period of time, after he fractured his fibula in Week 2.
It is unclear when Rice will play football again, as a suspension could be looming for the 2025 season after his involvement in a six-vehicle crash in the offseason.
The Chiefs offense has continued to find ways to utilize their other weapons, with JuJu Smith-Schuster and Kareem Hunt turning back the clock with impressive performances in a win against the New Orleans Saints on Monday Night Football.
They enter the bye week as one of two undefeated teams left at 5-0.
