Why isn’t Rashee Rice playing for the Chiefs? Wide receiver ruled out for Broncos visit

There will be some big names missing from the Kansas City Chiefs’ roster when they take on the Denver Broncos on Christmas Day.

Quarterback Patrick Mahomes has been ruled out with an ACL injury and the Chiefs have suffered another injury blow with the news that Rashee Rice will miss the the remainder of the season.

Rice missed last weekend’s loss to the Tennessee Titans due to a concussion and he has been added to the team’s injured reserve list ahead of the December 25 game. He ends the season, his third in the NFL, with 53 receptions for 571 yards and five touchdowns.

Those figures represent a decent on-field return for Rice, given that he has only played eight games this season. Rice was suspended for the first six games of 2025, punishment for his role in a multicar crash in Dallas last year. Rice was sentenced to 30 days in jail and five years of probation.

A weakened Chiefs will also be fielding a third-choice quarterback against the Broncos. Following the injury to Mahomes, regular backup Gardner Minshew stepped in but he too suffered a season-ending knee injury. Chris Oladokun will take to the field for Kansas City on Christmas Day and for the season-closing trip to the Las Vegas Raiders on January 4.

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