Chiefs WR Rashee Rice is likely out for season after successful knee surgery

It appears the Kansas City Chiefs won’t have wide receiver Rashee Rice during their quest to win an unprecedented third consecutive Super Bowl.

Rice underwent successful surgery to repair the LCL in his right knee on Tuesday. He is unlikely to play again during the regular season or a potential playoff run for the Chiefs, a person close to the situation told USA TODAY Sports. They spoke on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the matter.

The Chiefs placed Rice on injured reserve following the team’s Week 4 victory over the Los Angeles Chargers.

Rice injured his right knee while trying to tackle Chargers cornerback Kristian Fulton following an interception by Patrick Mahomes in the first quarter. As Rice went in for the tackle, Mahomes inadvertently collided with the wideout as he attempted to take down Fulton.

The Chiefs were waiting for swelling to reduce on Rice’s injured right knee before the wide receiver underwent a procedure done by Dr. Dan Cooper. The Chiefs were bracing for Rice to miss the entire year but were holding out hope in a slim chance that the wideout could return at some point.

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It now appears Rice’s entire year is likely over.

The positive news is Rice is expected to make a full recovery and be back for the 2025 season.

"Rashee's had a phenomenal year. Unfortunately, in this league injuries happen, and life goes on, so we always expected the next guys to step up and roll, and it's no different now,” Chiefs coach Andy Reid said last week. “There's not another Rashee. There [are] other guys, though, that are very, very good, so we'll be fine.''

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Kansas City will rely on wide receivers JuJu Smith-Schuster and Xavier Worthy to try to fill the void left by Rice. Expect more targets for nine-time Pro Bowl tight end Travis Kelce as well. The Chiefs could also attempt to add another wide receiver before the NFL’s Nov. 5^th trade deadline.

The Chiefs are entering a Week 6 bye. Rice currently leads Kansas City with 288 receiving yards, and his 24 receptions are tied for a team-high.

The 5-0 Chiefs have the AFC’s top record. Kansas City and the Minnesota Vikings are the only two remaining undefeated teams in the NFL.

Follow USA TODAY Sports' Tyler Dragon on X @TheTylerDragon.