Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Rashee Rice (4) takes the field prior to a game against the Cincinnati Bengals at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium.

The Kansas City Chiefs have been missing a key ingredient for quite some time – Rashee Rice.

They have struggled without the star receiver, posting an 0-2 record with an offense that looks lifeless. The belief was that the Chiefs could manage without Rice, but that went by the wayside after Travis Kelce collided with Xavier Worthy, dislocating the second-year receiver's shoulder.

In the time since, the Kansas City offense has revolved around Patrick Mahomes' scrambling ability, highlighting the need for Rice to return.

Of course, Rice's absence isn't for an injury or some minor inconvenience. Rather it's thanks to some legal trouble the receiver found himself in during March 2024.

Here's a look at what happened with Rice and when he can return to the field for Kansas City.

What happened to Rashee Rice?

Rice was involved in a high-speed car crash in March 2024, which saw two people end up in the hospital.

Dallas Police investigated the incident, which determined that Rice, who was driving a Lamborghini, and Theodore Knox, who was driving a Corvette, were "speeding in the far-left lane" on the North Central Expressway. Police said that both drivers lost control, causing a “chain reaction collision involving four other vehicles."

According to police, the drivers and occupants of both vehicles "all ran from the scene without stopping to determine if anyone needed medical help or providing their information."

The receiver plead guilty to two third-degree felony charges – collision involving serious bodily injury, and racing on a highway causing bodily injury. Rice was sentenced to 30 days in jail and five years of probation for his involvement in the crash.

Dallas District Attorney's Office said in a statement that Rice paid more than $115,000 in "restitution to all the victims for their out-of-pocket medical expenses" before agreeing to his plea deal.

Following the settlement of the legal matter, Rice was then suspended for the first six games of the 2025 season by the NFL after both sides agreed on the length.

When will Rashee Rice return?

Rice is eligible to return from his suspension in Week 7 against the Las Vegas Raiders.

The receiver hasn't played since Week 4 of the 2024 season, which is when he suffered a season-ending knee injury following a collision with Mahomes.

When healthy, Rice has been a force in the Chiefs' offense. Through the first 20 regular season games of his career, Rice 103 catches, 1,226 yards and nine touchdowns – becoming a favorite target for Mahomes in the passing game.

His return should open up the offense for a team that has seen their depth tested at receiver in the early stages of this season.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: When can Rashee Rice return? What to know about Chiefs WR's suspension

Reporting by Nick Brinkerhoff, USA TODAY / USA TODAY

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