KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Chiefs wide receiver Rashee Rice has been suspended for six games due to a violation of the NFL's personal conduct policy. This suspension will begin with the season opener against the Chargers in Brazil next week.

Rice's legal troubles stem from a March 2024 incident in which he pleaded guilty to two third-degree felony charges. These charges include collision involving serious bodily injury and racing on a highway causing bodily injury. As part of his plea agreement, Rice received a sentence of five years of deferred probation and 30 days in jail.

The NFL's decision to suspend Rice follows its own internal investigation. Rice has chosen not to appeal the suspension, which eliminates a scheduled hearing before former federal Judge Sue L. Robinson in New York. In addition to the Chargers game, Rice will miss several key matchups, including a Super Bowl rematch against the Eagles on September 14, a game against the Giants, and a contest against the Ravens on September 28. He will be eligible to return for a game against the Raiders on October 19.

The Chiefs did not make Rice or head coach Andy Reid available for comment on Wednesday. Rice was also absent from the team's final practice before the game week begins. Tight end Noah Gray expressed confidence in the team's ability to adapt, stating, "We're just going to go out there, trust what the coaches put on our plates, whatever game plan we have regardless of who is in there. I'm extremely confident in all the guys."

The incident that led to Rice's suspension involved him driving a Lamborghini Urus SUV at 119 mph on a Dallas highway. Prosecutors reported that he made aggressive maneuvers around traffic and collided with other vehicles. After the crash, Rice fled the scene on foot without checking on the other drivers.

In a statement through his attorney, Rice acknowledged the impact of his actions, saying, "I've had a lot of sleepless nights thinking about the damages my actions caused, and I will continue working within my means to make sure that everyone impacted will be made whole."

As part of his sentence, Rice is required to pay approximately $115,000 in out-of-pocket medical expenses to the victims involved in the crash. He also mentioned during training camp, "I’ve completely changed. You have to learn from things like that. All I can focus on is what I can control right now and that’s me doing what I do."

Rice had a promising start to his rookie season, catching 24 passes for 288 yards and two touchdowns in his first three games. However, his season was cut short due to a knee injury sustained in Week 4. He has since been rehabilitating and was prepared to participate in the Chiefs' offseason program before the suspension was announced.

In light of Rice's absence, the Chiefs have adjusted their roster, keeping eight wide receivers. This group includes Marquise Brown and second-year player Xavier Worthy, who will be key contributors alongside tight end Travis Kelce in the passing game.