Why isn't Rashee Rice playing on Monday night?

Aug 9, 2025; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Rashee Rice (4) against the Arizona Cardinals during a preseason NFL game at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

After a dreaded 0-2 start, the Kansas City Chiefs have stabilized themselves somewhat with wins over the New York Giants and Baltimore Ravens. But beating the upstart Jacksonville Jaguars on the road on Monday night, who are one of the NFL's best stories on this young 2025 season, will likely be a much more challenging task.

Unfortunately for the Chiefs, they're still going to be without arguably their best offensive weapon, too. And not just for this game.

Suppose you're just getting caught up on the Chiefs' exploits this year and are wondering why you don't see receiver Rashee Rice catching passes from Patrick Mahomes on Monday night. In that case, that's because Rice is currently serving a six-game suspension related to his role in a high-speed driving crash that left multiple people injured during the 2024 offseason. Some Chiefs players were also a little tone deaf over Rice facing discipline for the dangerous situation.

This will be Rice's fifth of six games he is set to miss. The receiver can officially return against the Las Vegas Raiders in Week 7. For the Chiefs' football purposes, that's not a moment too soon. Their offense needs all the playmakers they can handle as they try to get back on a familiar track of success in the Mahomes and Andy Reid era.

This article originally appeared on For The Win: Why isn't Rashee Rice playing on Monday night?

Reporting by Robert Zeglinski, For The Win / For The Win

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