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Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Rashee Rice has accepted and will serve a six-game suspension to start the upcoming 2025 NFL season, sources with knowledge of the situation confirmed to NFL Network's Tom Pelissero on Wednesday (August 27).
"#Chiefs WR Rashee Rice is accepting and will serve a six-game suspension to start the 2025 regular season, per sources. The NFL and NFLPA are working to finalize the settlement, which will end Rice’s disciplinary limbo and make him eligible to return Week 7 vs. Las Vegas," Pelissero wrote on his X account. "Contrary to reports, there was never an agreement or plan to have Rashee Rice play the first four games before a Sept. 30 hearing, which was scheduled as a save-the-date. A settlement was always the most likely outcome, and now the sides are finalizing."
Rice, 25, was sentenced to five years probation and 30 days of jail time that can be served at any point during that span in relation earlier this month in relation to a 2024 offseason multi-car crash in Dallas.
“Last March, I was involved in a high-speed accident in Dallas. There have been a lot of sleepless nights thinking about the damages that my actions caused, and I will continue working within my means to make sure that everyone impacted will be made whole. I urge everyone to mind the speed limit, drive safe and drive smart," Rice said in the statement re-shared by the Kansas City Star's Jesse Newell. "Last and certainly not least, I am profoundly sorry for the physical damages to person and property. I fully apologize for the harm I caused to innocent drivers and their families.”
Rice was carted off the field during the first quarter of Kansas City's 17-10 win against the Los Angeles Chargers on September 29 and missed the remainder of the 2024 season. The former SMU standout had led the Chiefs in receptions (24) and receiving yards (288), as well as being tied with rookie first-round pick Xavier Worthy for the most receiving touchdowns (2), at the time.