Rashee Rice To Play 1st Game for Chiefs In More Than a Year After Suspension

Rashee Rice knows almost to the day how long it's been since he played in a game for the Kansas City Chiefs.

Two more days until he does it again.

Their top wide receiver has missed the first six games of this season while serving an NFL suspension for violating its personal-conduct policy, the punishment handed down for his role in a high-speed car crash in Dallas in March 2024. And he missed most of last season after tearing his ACL in Week 4, when Patrick Mahomes collided with him following an interception.

"I've been looking forward to this," Rice said Friday, following a final practice for Sunday's game against the Las Vegas Raiders. "I think it's been 380-something days since I have played in a regular-season game. I mean, it's been a long time coming. The time is finally here."

Rice recovered sufficiently from his knee injury in time to participate in the Chiefs' offseason program, and he was able to take part in all of training camp. But once the season began, Rice had to remain away from the team, a punishment he agreed to when all parties decided it was in his best interest to get the six-game suspension out of the way.

Rice said he spent most of the time away in Florida, where the heat and humidity helped him stay in shape. He would work out Monday through Friday, then do another workout Sunday, as he tried to replicate what a typical game week is like.

The games themselves, Rice said, he would watch with family members. Kansas City lost its first two but has since won three of four, including a dominant victory last week over the Detroit Lions, widely considered a Super Bowl contender.

"I mean, the best thing for me is to be around the guys," Rice said. " I got leaders in each room, even on defense, that help