Rashee Rice injury update: Chiefs HC Andy Reid delivers crucial update
Rashee Rice suffered a knee injury during the Kansas City Chiefs' Week 4 win against the Los Angeles Chargers. QB Patrick Mahomes accidentally hit the wide receiver while trying to prevent the Chargers players from returning an interception for a touchdown.
Rice was earlier feared to suffer a season-ending ACL injury, but so far, the tests have given no clarity on the situation. As a result, many assume that the Chiefs star's receiver's injury is not as serious, and there is a possibility he will play again this season.
Chiefs head coach Andy Reid was asked about Rice's status, and he said:
“We’re getting the swelling out of his knee and then he’ll have further tests next week, so really don’t have anything to tell you. . . . For his sake, we’re really hoping things work out for the best but let’s just see where it goes. Leave it up to the doctors to see. I’m definitely not a doctor.”
Chiefs fans will hope that Rice's injury is not a season-ending one, as he is too important for their offense. With Travis Kelce not playing at the level he is used to and running back Isiah Pacheco also out with an injury, not having Rice on the field will decrease the team's chances of winning their third straight Super Bowl.
Rashee Rice injury: A look at Chiefs WR depth chart
With Rashee Rice out, rookie wide receiver Xavier Worthy is the team's WR1. The Chiefs wide receiver depth chart looks like this heading into Week 5:
- WR1: Xavier Worthy
- WR2: Justin Watson
- WR3: JuJu Smith-Schuster
- WR4: Skyy Moore
- WR5: Mecole Hardman
Worthy did score a 54-yard touchdown during the win against the Chargers, but he can't be utilized in the same manner as Rice. The SMU product had 24 receptions for 288 yards and two touchdowns on 29 targets this season before his injury.
Players like Smith-Schuster and Moore must perform better in the upcoming weeks, or the team may need to trade for another receiver. The Chiefs could also elevate Justyn Ross from the practice squad for the upcoming game.
#Update: The Chiefs have placed Rice on the injured reserve and he will miss a minimum of next four games.