Rashee Rice of the Kansas City Chiefs could be out for the rest of the season after injuring his knee on a weird play against the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday.
Rice was taken to the team bus following the Chiefs’ 17-10 victory, his right knee in a brace with a dial for range-of-motion adjustment. Patrick Mahomes, the wide receiver’s quarterback, punched him while both were pursuing Chargers cornerback Kristian Fulton on an interception return.
According to Coach Andy Reid, Rice will get an MRI on Monday. Reid was not optimistic about the outcome.
“I’m sure it’s not as good of news as we want,” Mr. Reid remarked. “I feel awful for Rashee because he’s having a great year. We will hope for the best.”
Mahomes overthrew Travis Kelce at midfield on the Chiefs’ second possession, and Fulton recovered the interception 29 yards. Rice caught Fulton from behind at the Chiefs 20 and punched the ball loose for a turnover, but Mahomes hit Rice’s knees as the star quarterback ducked down to try to tackle Fulton.
Chiefs center Creed Humphrey recovered the ball, but a video review determined Rice was out of bounds when he forced the fumble, allowing the Chargers to keep possession.
Rice’s right leg seemed to hyperextend after he collided with Mahomes.
“I think Rashee played well. “I was going to tackle the guy (Fulton) and obviously rolled up on him,” Mahomes explained. “I wasn’t sure what happened because I was attempting to make a tackle, but I know Rashee and how tough he is. So seeing him down like that, I knew it wasn’t good.
Rice is the two-time defending Super Bowl champs’ leading receiver, with 24 receptions for 288 yards and two scores. Travis Kelce ranks second with 15 receptions for 158 yards.
After laboring in the first three games, Kelce took over in Rice’s absence. The tight end recorded seven receptions for 89 yards, including the 917th of his career in the second quarter, to become the Chiefs’ franchise leader in receptions.
Xavier Worthy, a rookie, might emerge as the Chiefs’ best wideout. Worthy, the 28th overall pick in the draft, caught three passes for 73 yards, including a 54-yard touchdown in the second quarter.
“We have no idea what’s going on with him, but in our receiving room, it’s next man up. “I believe we have a lot of guys who can make plays in key moments,” Worthy said.
Rice is awaiting trial on many charges after allegedly causing a high-speed crash involving multiple cars on a Texas interstate last March.
