Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Rashee Rice will suit up for Week 1 after all.
According to reports, the NFL has set a Sept. 30 date for Rice’s disciplinary hearing for his involvement in a high-speed, multi-car crash in March 2024. That means Rice will be eligible to play in the first four weeks of the 2025 season before he faces consequences – potentially a multi-game suspension – from the league.
Rice pleaded guilty to two third-degree felony charges – collision involving serious bodily injury and racing on a highway causing bodily injury – in July and was sentenced to 30 days in jail and five years of deferred probation.
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Rice would be the third wide receiver – and sixth player overall – to face a multi-game ban in 2025 if the league hands down a suspension as expected. The NFL fined Los Angeles Rams wideout Drake Stoops $93,334 and gave him a two-game suspension for PED use, and Minnesota Vikings receiver Jordan Addison will miss the first three games of the season for violating the league’s substance abuse policy.
However, because of the scheduling of Rice’s hearing, the Chiefs’ presumptive lead receiver will not receive a suspension until after the first four weeks of the season. He’ll be eligible to play against Kansas City’s first four opponents in 2025 – Los Angeles Chargers (in Brazil), Philadelphia Eagles, New York Giants and Baltimore Ravens – before the Sept. 30 hearing.
Rice missed 13 games and all but four snaps of a 14th last season after injuring his knee in a collision with quarterback Patrick Mahomes following an interception. He tallied 288 yards and two touchdowns on 24 catches in the four (three full) games he played in.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Chiefs WR Rashee Rice eligible to play first four weeks of 2025
