Chiefs wide receiver Rashee Rice is not expected to be punished anytime soon for his role in a six-car crash where he was driving 119 miles per hour.
He is facing eight charges from the March incident, per Pro Football Talk.
“We don’t anticipate he’ll be placed on commissioner’s exempt unless there is a material change in the case,” NFL vice president of communications Brian McCarthy told NFL Network.
Rashee Rice is expected to play for the Chiefs in Week 1 barring any changes. Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports
McCarthy’s comments came after some initial uncertainty about Rice following a conference call with NFL executive vice president Jeff Miller.
Miller said the league was “closely following all developments in the matter,” per Sports Illustrated.
Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk asked Miller whether Rice would be placed on the commissioner’s exempt list ahead of next Thursday’s season opener and Miller did not provide a “concrete answer,” according to SI.
Multiple reports suggest the NFL will wait to decide on punishments for Rice until the legal process plays out, although it’s unclear when that will be.
A court date has not been announced, although Rice is facing a $10 million lawsuit for his involvement.
NFL commissioner Roger Goodell. Kyle Stevens/Shutterstock
Rice broke his slience at a youth football camp with teammates on June 9, saying he “learned so much” from the situation.
“All I can do is mature and continue to grow from that,” he said. “This is a step in a better direction for me.”
Rice fled the scene of the crash and is facing eight felony charges, including one aggravated assault, one count of collision involving serious bodily injury and six counts of collision involving injury.
He turned himself into police after an arrest warrant had been issued.
Chiefs receiver Rashee Rice (r.) makes a catch against the Jaguars in a preseason game on Aug. 10, 2024. Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Union / USA TODAY NETWORK
The 2023 second-round pick is also in hot water as the suspect in assault charges involving a Dallas photographer at a nightclub in May.
The tumultuous offseason for Rice finally comes to an end when he actually has pads on for the NFL season opener as Kansas City looks to start its three-peat quest against the Ravens.
