Chiefs HC Andy Reid drops hints on WR Rashee Rice’s playing time for Week 7 vs. Raiders as he returns from suspension

Kansas City Chiefs HC Andy Reid was noncommittal on an outsized workload for WR Rashee Rice in first week back from suspension.

Charles Goldman — NFL Managing Editor
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The Kansas City Chiefs will get WR Rashee Rice back from suspension for Week 7 against the Las Vegas Raiders, but how much will he play in his 2025 NFL regular-season debut?

Keep in mind that Rice isn’t just coming back from a suspension, but he’s also getting back on the field after a season-ending knee injury from Week 4 against the Los Angeles Chargers in the 2024 NFL season. He had a lot of work to do to get himself back into football shape during OTAs, training camp, and the preseason, but he also missed some time due to a groin injury. In total, he played just 20 offensive snaps with Patrick Mahomes and the rest of the starters during Week 3 of the 2025 NFL preseason.

So, what does Chiefs HC Andy Reid expect out of Rice in Week 7 against the Raiders?

Chiefs fans should temper their expectations for Rashee Rice for Week 7 vs. the Raiders

Could Rashee Rice immediately come back and be the top target for Patrick Mahomes against the Raiders? It’s not outside of the realm of possibility, but it’s not what Chiefs HC Andy Reid expects or seems to be planning for. He cautioned that he needs to see Rice in action during the upcoming practice week before determining just how much action he’ll get in Week 7.

“Yeah, listen, I know he’s been working like crazy,” Reid said. “The rule states that we can’t work with him (as coaches), but I know he’s been working out hard, and I think it’s just a matter of getting him back in the swing. I’m not going to tell you (how much he’ll play). I’ve got to see it to kind of work through it (at practice), but I know he’s in good shape. That’s the one thing I do know, and I think that’ll be important — him coming back in there and getting with Patrick, and kind of getting on the same page, as you know, in that whole deal. But we’ll just see how all that works out. We haven’t put the game plan in yet, so we’re working through all that now.”

Chiefs WR Rashee Rice 2024 NFL Season Receiving Stats:

  • Week 1: 7-of-9 for 103 yards
  • Week 2: 5-of-6 for 75 yards and one touchdown
  • Week 3: 12-of-14 for 110 yards and one touchdown

Given that the Chiefs are one of just two teams with four different receivers over 112 yards receiving and a touchdown on the season, they’ll likely be somewhat cautious in easing Rice back into action. I’d expect him to be involved in the game plan, but he might be better served with a bit of a ramp-up period to protect him from injury or the costly mistakes that have already hurt Kansas City at times this season.

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