ClutchPoints
The Kansas City Chiefs are confronting a growing injury crisis following their 16-13 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers in Week 15, a defeat that not only ended their 10-year playoff streak but also ended hopes for a fourth consecutive Super Bowl appearance. As if losing that game wasn’t enough, quarterback Patrick Mahomes suffered a season-ending ACL tear, leaving the team scrambling as they prepare for their Week 16 matchup against the Tennessee Titans.
The misery didn’t end for the Chiefs, as head coach Andy Reid confirmed Wednesday that wide receiver Rashee Rice would not participate in practice after he reported concussion symptoms on Monday and entered the NFL’s concussion protocol. Rice, who played 52 of 61 offensive snaps in the Chargers game, reported concussion symptoms on Monday. In the third quarter, the 25-year-old was on the receiving end of a hard hit from Los Angeles safety Tony Jefferson, continuing a recent trend of absorbing several punishing blows. He stayed down following the play and later made his way to Kansas City’s medical tent. He eventually returned and finished the game with seven catches for 51 yards on 11 targets.
Rice sitting out is a major blow, given his importance to Kansas City’s offense. Even though the third-year receiver missed the first six games of the season due to an NFL suspension, in the eight games he has played, he leads the team’s wide receivers with 53 receptions for 571 yards and five touchdowns, tied for the team high. After nearly reaching 1,000 yards as a rookie in 2023, Rice went more than 12 months without playing because of the suspension and a knee injury that kept him out for much of 2024. If he is unable to suit up, backup quarterback Gardner Minshew will be missing a key go-to target.
The Chiefs have depth at wide receiver, with Xavier Worthy, Hollywood Brown, JuJu Smith-Schuster, Tyquan Thornton, Jalen Royals, and Nikko Remigio providing alternatives. However, Thornton is also in concussion protocol, and Brown missed Week 15 due to a personal matter, positioning Worthy to assume the No. 1 receiver role. The team also has a practice squad option, Jason Brownlee, if additional depth is needed.
Rice’s path back to the field will require completion of the NFL’s five-step concussion protocol, including symptom-limited activity, aerobic exercise, football-specific drills, club-based non-contact training, and full clearance. There is no set timeline for recovery, and the team does not need to rush him back, particularly with the season already over from a playoff standpoint.
After the Titans game, the Chiefs will close out their season with matchups against the Las Vegas Raiders and Denver Broncos. While Rice’s absence does not impact playoff contention, it is a significant concern for Kansas City’s offense and fantasy football managers who rely on his production.
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