Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Rashee Rice, currently on injured reserve with a suspected but unconfirmed ACL tear, will have an arthroscopic procedure this week to assess the injury, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com. Dr. Dan Cooper, the team doctor for the Dallas Cowboys, will perform the procedure.
Several outcomes are possible: If only supporting knee ligaments are affected, Rice could avoid surgery and be sidelined for 4-6 weeks. However, if he has torn his PCL and LCL but not the ACL, his recovery could take 4-6 months. Significant ACL damage would require surgery and a nine-month recovery. Rapoport reports that the chances of Rice returning in 2024 are slim, but the team remains hopeful.
Should Rice be out for the season, ESPN’s Adam Schefter expects the Chiefs to seek a receiver before the November 5 trade deadline, echoing Rapoport’s earlier reports. One potential target is Titans wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins, a three-time All-Pro, who is attracting trade interest. Raiders star Davante Adams is also a candidate, though both Rapoport and Schefter doubt that Kansas City and Las Vegas would make an inter-division trade. If the Jets trade for Adams, Schefter suggests the Chiefs could pursue one of their other wideouts, such as Mike Williams.
With a Week 6 bye, the Chiefs plan to evaluate their receiver situation. Rapoport and Schefter differ on Kansas City’s current salary cap space—Rapoport claims $15 million, while Schefter says $5 million. Regardless, the Chiefs aim to carry over as much cap room as possible into 2025 to manage future contracts for key players like Trent McDuffie, Trey Smith, and George Karlaftis. Although the cap situation may influence their decision, it likely won’t stop the Chiefs from making a trade to bolster their chances for another championship.
Rice’s injury could also impact a possible suspension for his offseason legal issues. Reports suggest he aims to serve any suspension this season, aligning it with his potential absence due to injury. While this might benefit Rice and the team, other league members may view this strategy unfavorably.
