Rashee Rice's Return Is a Mixed Bag, But Andy Reid Likes What He Sees

After weeks of gradually increasing his activity, Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Rashee Rice participated in 11-on-11 practice on Wednesday, marking an encouraging milestone in his recovery from knee surgery. The team had been cautiously reintroducing Rice to training camp activities throughout the preseason. Rice's most notable contribution came during red-zone drills, where he showcased his skills by making several short catches, including a bubble screen and a touchdown.

However, he missed out on a contested pass from quarterback Patrick Mahomes and appeared fatigued as the practice session concluded, sitting out the final segment.

Despite the fluctuating progress, head coach Andy Reid remains optimistic about Rice's situation. "He got a lot of good reps today, which is important," Reid stated after practice. "We've just got to ease him back in and keep working. We know he's a good player. He actually got better as the practice went on, so that was a good thing."

In Rice's absence, quarterback Patrick Mahomes has thrown to other players, including Tyquan Thornton, Jalen Royals, and fifth-round rookie Cyrus Allen. However, none of these options can fully replace Rice's contributions. With Mahomes already back from his own knee injury, which was a torn ACL and LCL, the Chiefs will need Rice back healthy for the upcoming season to remain at the top of the AFC.

Travis Kelce, the team's top tight end, also faces limitations, while Xavier Worthy is still recovering from a shoulder sprain and missed Wednesday's practice.

Rice's participation in 11-on-11 drills is a positive sign that he is on track to return for Week 1. However, it is evident that he requires more practice to regain his full form. When healthy, Rice has consistently demonstrated that he is among the league's elite receivers, a position this team is counting on him to reclaim in 2026.