It's already been a long week waiting for the results of Rashee Rice's medical tests to find out the severity of a leg injury suffered in Week 4. After hearing the latest news out of Arrowhead, Chiefs Kingdom is going to have to wait even longer for answers.
On Thursday, Chiefs head coach Andy Reid answered questions from team reporters about Rice's potential return to the field. What became immediately clear is that the team is still without any clarity regarding Rice's ultimate condition and/or when he might be able to return to the field.
The Chiefs placed Rashee Rice on injured reserve on Thursday, which means he'll miss at least the next four games.
Rice went down with a serious leg injury on Sunday during the team's Week 4 victory over the Los Angeles Chargers. After Patrick Mahomes threw an interception into the hands of Chargers defensive back Kristian Fulton, Rice was attempting to take down Fulton on a return. Mahomes joined the crowd of Chiefs players trying to tackle Fulton and came down awkwardly on Rice's leg.
After the injury, the Chiefs were quick to designate Rice out for the rest of the game, and he underwent further tests on Monday morning to see the severity of the injury. However, the Chiefs have been slow to release any actual information. Rumors of a potentially torn ACL circulated only to be met with further projections that the lack of an actual diagnosis could insinuate good news instead.
As it turns out, no one knows how bad Rice's leg is hurt because the team can't get a clear picture of the damage with so much swelling. That means that RIce will have to wait to undergo even more tests next week, during the team's bye week, in order to get an accurate picture of his road to recovery.
Spotted Rashee Rice in the Chiefs locker room. Rice’s right leg was wrapped in a full leg sleeve, and he was walking about normally without crutches. He won’t be available to the media until he recovers. https://t.co/GesBtTP66k
— Pete Sweeney (@pgsween) October 3, 2024
One development that is clear, however, is that Rice will miss at least the next four games due to being placed on the team's injured reserve list. He joins running back Isiah Pacheco there as the Chiefs learn to officially do without one of their best offensive weapons.
Rice has 24 catches for 288 receiving yards and 2 touchdowns on the year for the Chiefs in his second seaason with the team.