Chiefs WR Rashee Rice out Sunday vs. Chargers with hamstring injury
Rice sat out all three practices this week with a right hamstring injury and will not play Sunday against the Chargers, leaving Kansas City's receiver room thinner for a fifth straight win bid.
Why Rice is out
Rashee Rice will not play Sunday when the Chiefs host the Chargers, according to ESPN. Rice, Kansas City's top receiver, missed every practice this week with a right hamstring injury and coach Andy Reid confirmed Friday he is unavailable.
The injury traces back to Week 4 against the Las Vegas Raiders. In the first quarter of that comeback win, Rice caught a 7-yard pass, pulled up while trying to get extra yards, and stepped out of bounds to end the play. He has not practiced since.
Reid sounded unconcerned about the long term. "He'll be all right," Reid said, adding that hamstrings are unpredictable but that Rice is a fast healer. Reid also raised the possibility Rice could be back next week when the Chiefs play Seattle on Sunday Night Football.
The receiver room is already thin
Rice is not the only hole. Tyquan Thornton, the other half of Kansas City's top receiver duo, went on injured reserve earlier this week with a dislocated left ankle. Rice and Thornton have combined for 24 catches on 31 targets for 409 yards and three touchdowns this season, which has carried a big share of the passing game during the team's 4-0 start.
With both out, Patrick Mahomes is expected to lean harder on tight end Travis Kelce and receiver Xavier Worthy to keep the offense moving against the Chargers.
Who fills in
Rookie Cyrus Allen and second-year receiver Jalen Royals are set to see more snaps. Mahomes said this week the two have put in the work in practice behind Rice and Thornton and that he trusts them to step into bigger roles. "They're ready," Mahomes said.
Allen, who stood out in training camp building chemistry with Mahomes, said he is getting more comfortable with the game plan. "I only need one to get me going," he said of his first catch.
One piece of good injury news
Left tackle Josh Simmons, the team's 2025 first-round pick, took part in all three practices this week for the first time in almost two months after dealing with a bulging disc in his lower back. Simmons is still out for Sunday, but Reid said he is working to rebuild his conditioning to get back to protecting Mahomes' blind side soon. "He's getting better as we go here," Reid said.
Facts per ESPN. Opinion is the taproom's.