Chiefs get Rashee Rice back from injury for Broncos game

Rice back for rematch with Denver

Rashee Rice is expected to return to the Kansas City Chiefs' lineup for Sunday's game against the Denver Broncos. Rice took part in each of the Chiefs' three practices this week as he works back from a strained right hamstring, an injury he suffered in Week 4 against the Las Vegas Raiders. That is what is known. What is not yet known is exactly how big a role he plays in his first game back. What happens next is simple: Rice is in line to suit up Sunday against the same Broncos team Kansas City beat in its season opener.

The offense missed him

Without Rice for the past two games, the Chiefs offense has not been as effective as it was earlier in the season. Quarterback Patrick Mahomes did not throw a touchdown pass in either game. Kansas City's other receivers, Xavier Worthy, rookie Cyrus Allen, Justin Watson, Andrew Armstrong and Jalen Royals, combined for just six receptions for 39 yards in last week's loss to the Seattle Seahawks.

In four games this season, Rice has produced 13 receptions on 16 targets for 190 yards and a touchdown. Mahomes called him 'such a physical receiver' on Wednesday, saying Rice does well 'getting himself open' in zone coverage and is physical against man coverage. Mahomes added that having Rice back 'will be big for us' because it takes pressure off the other receivers and lets them 'be themselves.'

Delane's status uncertain on defense

On defense, the Chiefs could be without rookie cornerback Mansoor Delane, their top draft pick. Delane missed practice Thursday and Friday with a right shoulder injury, the same injury he aggravated three snaps into the season-opening win over the Broncos. Coach Andy Reid said after Friday's practice that he did not know Delane's status for Sunday's rematch, adding, 'We'll just see how he does here going forward.'

When Delane played in that season opener, he was excellent in coverage against receiver Courtland Sutton, which led to an interception of quarterback Bo Nix's intermediate pass. His 5-yard return ended when he stumbled and fell to the turf, landing on his right shoulder. He did not return to that game and missed the following week against the Indianapolis Colts. Delane first hurt the shoulder in the offseason, missing the Chiefs' mandatory minicamp in June because of a hairline fracture in his scapula, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.

What else to watch Sunday

Rookie defensive end R Mason Thomas also missed Friday's practice for a personal reason, but Reid said the Chiefs expect him to play against Denver. Reid said Thomas will meet the team in Denver rather than travel with it. The Chiefs beat the Broncos in the season opener, the same game in which Delane got hurt, and Sunday's rematch gives Kansas City a chance to get both Rice and a healthier version of its defense on the field at the same time, if Delane is able to go.

Facts per ESPN. Opinion is the taproom's.