Patrick Mahomes might be leading the Kansas City Chiefs on a winning streak, but the offense is clearly feeling a void in the wide receiver room. Rashee Rice has been off the field for the past couple of weeks, and as per Andy Reid’s latest update, it appears he is set to miss the remainder of the 2024 season.
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Rice, who had been showing flashes of promise as a reliable target for Mahomes, recently underwent surgery to repair the posterolateral corner (PLC) of his right knee. This injury initially sparked concerns over a possible ACL tear, which would have kept him out for a similarly extended period.
The injury occurred during the Chiefs’ win over the Los Angeles Chargers, where Rice was hurt but managed to finish the game. Speaking to reporters, Reid gave clarity on Rice’s predicament:
“It’s probably the same result you would get time-wise for an ACL. It takes a while… He’ll get into his rehab and get rolling on that.”
While the distinction between a PLC and ACL injury is important, both injuries have lengthy recovery timelines, with rehab typically lasting around six months.
After undergoing reconstruction, the star wideout will remain on crutches for two to three weeks and will wear a knee brace for an additional three weeks. He can expect to return to normal activity in six to eight weeks, according to orthopedic surgeon Riley J. Williams III, MD.
J. Williams also notes in his report that an individual who undergoes PLC reconstruction will need about six to eight months to return to sports. This effectively rules out the entire 2024 season for the former second-round pick.
Rice’s absence will certainly be a significant blow to the Chiefs’ offense, which relies on its dynamic receiving corps to open up Mahomes’ passing game. While Rice was not the number-one option, he was steadily becoming a trusted receiver in Mahomes’ arsenal.
For now, the Chiefs quarterback will have to make do with rookie wideout Xavier Worthy, who has been balling out in each of his outings. Whether he can maintain this performance throughout the season is another question.
The defending champs could also explore a player via trade. Davante Adams has recently become a person of interest, but since the wide receiver is currently with the Chiefs’ divisional rivals, the Raiders, the trade seems highly unlikely. So, let’s wait and see how the team handles the situation.
