Report: NFL aiming for six-game suspension for Chiefs WR Rashee Rice

Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Rashee Rice is accepting and will serve a six-game suspension for violating the NFL‘s Personal Conduct Policy, per Tom Pelissero of NFL Network. Rice’s suspension will kick in at the start of the 2025 season. He is eligible to return Week 7 against the Las Vegas Raiders.

“The NFL initially proposed a suspension of 10-12 games,” Pelissero wrote on X. “Rice’s team and attorneys fought for a much shorter ban. So, it took a while, but now an answer: Rice will miss the first six games, then — finally — be able to move forward with our career.”

Rice, 25, pleaded guilty in July to two felony charges stemming from a high-speed car crash in March 2024. A Dallas County judge sentenced Rice to five years of probation and 30 days of jail time for his role in the crash. Per the ruling, the Chiefs wide receiver can serve his jail sentence during the five-year probation.

The crash happened on March 30, 2024, when Rice, who was driving a Lamborghini, was racing Theodore Knox, who was driving a Corvette. Rice reportedly told police he lost control of his vehicle, which caused a crash involving six cars.

Rashee Rice will miss first six games of 2025 season

It’s a massive blow to the reigning AFC champions, who had Rice for only a quarter of this past season after he suffered a season-ending knee injury in Week 4. Rice, Kansas City’s 2023 second-round selection out of SMU, finished sixth in Offensive Rookie of the Year voting after catching 79 passes for 938 yards and seven touchdowns. He was off to a stellar pace last season, 24 receptions for 288 yards and two scores in four games.

With Rice sidelined, Xavier Worthy, Marquise “Hollywood” Brown, JuJu Smith-Schuster, Tyquan Thornton and rookie Jalen Royals will be tasked with carrying the load at the receiver position. Of course, the No. 1 target will remain tight end Travis Kelce.

On3’s Nick Schultz contributed to this report.