Chiefs Insider Makes Discouraging Rashee Rice Prediction

It's not yet known what punishment Rashee Rice will ultimately face, though it doesn't look good according to one NFL insider.

Nate Taylor of The Athletic, appearing on a KC Sports Network podcast, predicted that Chiefs fans won't see Rice on the field until October. Rice, who is under investigation for allegedly punching a photographer while also facing eight criminal charges for his role in a Dallas car crash in March, has not officially been disciplined by the Chiefs or NFL at this point.

Losing Rice early in the season would be a big blow to the offense, as Kansas City opens by hosting two AFC contenders in the Ravens and Bengals.

NFL Insider Predicts Rashee Rice Won't Play Until October

This isn't a particularly surprising prediction. Adam Schefter of ESPN reported that Rice faces a multi-game suspension, so it seems like the only question is when that suspension will be.

The Chiefs, presumably, would prefer to get it out of the way sooner than later. Rice caught 79 passes for 938 yards and seven TDs in his rookie campaign, quickly emerging as the team's best wide receiver. Losing him will hurt no matter when it is, but it's easier to manage earlier in the year.

Kansas City hopes to become the first team in NFL history to win three consecutive Super Bowls. They'll need Rice down the stretch, though offseason additions like Marquise 'Hollywood' Brown and first-round pick Xavier Worthy will help.

This isn't the first time the Chiefs have dealt with a suspension, though it's among the most high-profile incidents for the team in recent memory. Both Charles Omenihu and Willie Gay Jr. were suspended over the last two seasons, and here's hoping the roster can pick up the slack just as they did when those players missed games.

We'll keep you updated on any news as it becomes available regarding a potential suspension.

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