Rather than go through a strange period where rehab would be exclusively performed in jail, Rice received a court order allowing him to do so at Parkland Memorial Hospital in Dallas. Rice’s surgery did not occur at that hospital, but his attorney informed KCUR’s Sam Zeff the “outside medical needs” — presumably stemming from the recent operation — filled part of his time incarcerated. Rice otherwise was in an isolated cell while imprisoned, Zeff adds.
The May 28 court order recommended the Sheriff’s Department provide Rice “transportation to Parkland for knee therapy,” per Zeff. Rice was worried about his knee becoming infected in prison due to not being able to rehab like he normally would, Fowler adds, but the 26-year-old pass-catcher did not leave jail with any new issues. That represents good news for the Chiefs, who have not added a receiver — despite being connected to a potential pursuit — since Rice’s incarceration.
The prospect of a second suspension still looms, as a probation violation — in connection with Rice pleading guilty to two felony charges from a hit-and-run crash in March 2024 — could represent grounds for the NFL to hand the Kansas City cog another ban. Rice hopes because this is a “preexisting case” that already brought a suspension no additional punishment will come his way from the league, per Fowler.
Rice served a six-game suspension for his role in the hit-and-run incident. Four civil lawsuits from victims in the hit-and-run crash emerged in the wake of Rice’s 2024 arrest, with his attorney informing Zeff two have been settled. The NFL also conducted an investigation into domestic violence allegations against Rice made by his ex-girlfriend, the mother of his two children. The league did not suspend Rice after that probe, though the woman (Dacoda Jones) filed a civil suit alleging he caused her “numerous physical injuries and significant pain and suffering.”
Suggesting he expects Rice to be ready for training camp, Andy Reid said recently the Chiefs have received no indication a second suspension is coming. That said, Rice — who also was accused of punching a photographer weeks after his 2024 hit-and-run arrest — has proven highly unreliable. He missed 13 games due to an LCL tear in 2024 and ended last season on IR, playing in just eight games.
As could be expected, a Chiefs extension is not viewed as a front-burner matter. Though, it would not exactly be shocking — particularly considering the Reid-era Chiefs’ high tolerance for off-field issues — to see the team’s No. 1 wideout work his way back into good standing. A 2027 franchise tag could be in play should Rice do so. The Chiefs would have exclusive negotiating rights with Rice until the March 2027 legal tampering period.
The Chiefs have Xavier Worthy signed for two more seasons, and they re-signed Tyquan Thornton through 2028 in March. Kansas City lost Marquise Brown in free agency and has been connected to Stefon Diggs. A Tyreek Hill reunion has naturally come up, but with the ex-Chiefs speedster potentially not set to be recovered from his major knee injuries by midseason, such an agreement would seemingly be on hold. Rice will need to show sustained health and certainly avoid more legal trouble to land a Chiefs extension, but he can boost his stock ahead of a possible 2027 free-agency run with a strong contract year.