Rashee Rice’s Tumultuous 2025 Season: Suspension, Injuries, and Legal Challenges
Kansas City, January 7, 2026 – Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Rashee Rice faced significant hurdles in the 2025 NFL season, including a six-game suspension for violating the league’s personal conduct policy, a concussion that sidelined him, and legal consequences from a 2024 high-speed crash in Dallas. Despite returning from suspension in October, Rice played in only eight games before being placed on injured reserve due to his concussion.
Season Overview and Suspension
Rice began the 2025 season serving a six-game suspension imposed by the NFL following his role in a March 2024 multicar crash in Dallas, where he pleaded guilty to two third-degree felony charges of collision involving serious bodily injury and racing on a highway causing bodily injury. He was sentenced to 30 days in jail and five years’ probation, with the jail time to be served during his probation period. The suspension kept him out of the Chiefs’ first six games, and upon his return in Week 7 against the Las Vegas Raiders, Rice contributed immediately, scoring two touchdowns in his season debut.
Injury Setbacks and Concussion Protocol
After a strong start following his suspension, Rice suffered a concussion during a game against the Los Angeles Chargers in Week 14. He entered the NFL’s concussion protocol and missed the Chiefs’ Week 16 matchup against the Tennessee Titans, where Kansas City lost 26-9. Rice did not practice leading up to the game and remained in protocol, ultimately being placed on injured reserve along with teammates Tyquan Thornton, Trent McDuffie, and Jaylen Watson. In his limited action, Rice recorded 53 receptions for 571 yards and five touchdowns, leading the Chiefs’ wide receivers in those categories despite playing in only eight games.
Key Facts and Statistics
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Games Played | 8 (out of 17 regular season games) |
| Receptions | 53 |
| Receiving Yards | 571 |
| Touchdowns | 5 |
| Suspension | 6 games (Weeks 1-6, 2025 season) |
| Legal Sentence | 30 days jail, 5 years probation (July 2025) |
Frequently Asked Questions
What caused Rashee Rice’s suspension?
Rice’s suspension stemmed from his involvement in a high-speed crash in Dallas on March 30, 2024, where he was driving at 119 km/h and caused a chain-reaction accident injuring multiple people. He pleaded guilty to felony charges and was sentenced accordingly.
Will Rashee Rice be available for the 2026 season?
Rice is expected to be fully healthy for the 2026 season, as his concussion and other injuries from 2025 are not believed to be long-term. However, any potential NFL discipline related to his legal issues could impact his availability.
How did Rice perform upon returning from suspension?
Upon his return in Week 7, Rice had a standout game against the Raiders, recording multiple touchdowns. He continued to be a key target in the Chiefs’ offence, despite limited games due to injuries.