Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Rashee Rice will miss the rest of the season after he underwent successful LCL surgery on Tuesday, according to the NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport.
While his season is over, there was no structural damage or tears to his ACL, MCL or meniscus — which was the best case scenario for him. Rice is expected to make a full recovery in time for the start of next season.
According to the Cleveland Clinic, an LCL injury like Rice’s takes a minimum of eight-to-12 weeks of recovery time. That would likely keep him sidelined through the end of the calendar year at a minimum. However, barring any setbacks in his recovery, Rice should be fully healthy for the start of next season based on that timeline.
Rice went down in the Chiefs’ win over the Los Angeles Chargers last month. Rice, after Patrick Mahomes threw an interception, was hit by Mahomes as the quarterback was trying to make a tackle going the other way. Mahomes hit Rice’s leg directly on the play, which bent backward awkwardly and sent him to the ground.
He was helped off the field, and the Chiefs knew immediately that the injury was significant. Head coach Andy Reid said during the game that, “it’s not good,” though no diagnosis was given in the days that followed.
Rice was placed on injured reserve officially last week, which knocked him out for at least four games. Now, though, Rice’s season is over.
Rice finished the year with 288 receiving yards and two touchdowns on 24 catches. The 24-year-old, who the Chiefs selected in the second round of the 2023 NFL Draft out of SMU, had 938 receiving yards and seven touchdowns last season during his rookie campaign. He’s in the second year of his initial four-year, $6.4 million deal with the Chiefs this fall.
Despite losing Rice, the Chiefs are one of just two remaining undefeated teams in the league after they beat the New Orleans Saints on Monday night. They are entering their bye week this week, and will take on the San Francisco 49ers next on Oct. 20.