On Thursday, local media got their first look at the Kansas City Chiefs’ offseason program.
Entering the open look at practice, we knew that wide receiver Rashee Rice would not be present. Rice is currently being held in Texas in the Dallas County Jail for violating terms of his probation stemming from an infamous April 2024 high speed car crash. He is serving the 30-day jail sentence mandated by his plea deal last July.
Head coach Andy Reid addressed Rice’s situation before taking questions from reporters
on Thursday.
“As far as Rashee goes,” began the coach, “we’re aware of the situation. The league is aware of it. We’ve talked to the league. We get it. As far as any further ado to that, there’s been no talk about anything further. We’re moving forward normal, as we go here. When he gets back, we’ve got to get him caught on doing what he needs to do — and then make sure he gets it.
“It’s not an easy thing he’s going through. Life lessons are important, but we’re all given chances to learn. He’s in that position now.”
Although the Chiefs have discussed Rice’s latest incident from the league, Reid does not know if the wideout will face discipline under the NFL’s Player Conduct Policy.
“We don’t know that,” Reid remarked. “I know he’s done some things already that he’s got to take care of that were given to him. I haven’t heard anything. We’re kind of moving forward.”
On the day we learned that Rice had been ordered to jail after testing positive for THC, ESPN’s Adam Schefter also reported that he had undergone a cleanup procedure on his right knee. Rice suffered a season ending right LCL tear early in the 2024 season.
Rice would not have participated in this week’s organized-team-activities (OTAs) or next month’s mandatory minicamp even without the legal situation. Reid expects that he will be ready when training camp starts in July. Rick Burkholder — the team’s vice president of sports medicine and performance — has advised Rice about what he can currently do for the knee — even under the less-than-ideal circumstances of currently being dependent on a correctional facility medical staff.
“We think [Rice] will be ready for camp,” Reid predicted. “As we go forward, we’ll just see how it goes. He’s been in communication with Rick. He knows the rehab that he can do there. I think they’re keeping an eye on him as far as any possible infection goes.”
