Chiefs WR Rashee Rice to Miss First Six Games of 2025 Season After Accepting NFL Suspension
Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Rashee Rice has agreed to a six-game suspension to open the 2025 NFL season, sources tell NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero — a development that ends the uncertainty around Rice’s availability and will see him eligible to return in Week 7.
What happened — quick summary
The suspension stems from the NFL’s investigation into Rice’s role in a high-profile March 2024 multi-car crash in Dallas. Rice pleaded guilty in July 2025 to two third-degree felony charges related to the incident and received probation and a short jail sentence as part of the court outcome — matters that prompted the league’s disciplinary review.
Timing and games missed
Because the suspension begins at the start of the regular season, Rice will be sidelined for Kansas City’s first six games — including the Week 1 matchup in Brazil. He would be eligible to return for the Chiefs’ Week 7 game (home vs. Las Vegas in the current league schedule). That sequence of missed games was detailed in reporting of the league’s announcement.
How the decision was reached
According to reporting, Rice has accepted the six-game discipline, and the NFL and NFL Players Association were working to finalize the settlement that ends the pending disciplinary limbo. Multiple outlets indicate the league initially explored a longer suspension but negotiated a six-game agreement that Rice accepted.
Team impact — Chiefs’ depth and roster planning
Losing Rice for the first six games is a meaningful blow to Kansas City’s receiving corps and offensive game plan. Rice has been a rising target in the Chiefs’ offense, and his absence will force offensive coordinator game-planning adjustments and may create opportunities for other receivers and tight ends to step up during the season’s opening month-plus. Analysts expect the Chiefs to lean more heavily on their receiving depth and possibly adjust personnel packages until Rice’s return.
Broader context: league policy and precedent
The NFL cited its personal conduct policy as the basis for the discipline. The league has a history of issuing multi-game suspensions in cases involving off-field conduct that leads to criminal charges or guilty pleas; the exact length often reflects the particulars of the incident, the player’s record, legal outcomes, and negotiations between the NFL and NFLPA. Reporting suggests the league initially considered a longer penalty before settling on six games.
What comes next
With Rice having accepted the suspension, the procedural steps remaining are the formal paperwork and a mutually agreed settlement between the NFL and NFLPA to confirm the suspension’s start date and Rice’s return eligibility. The Chiefs now can prepare roster and game plans with clarity on Rice’s absence. Fans and fantasy football managers will want to track official roster moves and Week 1 inactives as coaches set opening-week lineups.
