C.J. Stroud on Nico Collins’ growth in the NFL
Texans QB C.J. Stroud highlights his teammate Nico Collins’ leadership and drive as he emerges as a top NFL wide receiver.
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Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Rashee Rice is suspended for the first six games of the 2025 NFL season due to a car crash in 2024.The Chiefs will rely on other receivers, including Xavier Worthy, Hollywood Brown, and JuJu Smith-Schuster, during Rice’s absence.Rookie receiver Jalen Royals is also dealing with a knee injury, further impacting the Chiefs’ depth at the position.
Follow along with the latest NFL practice squad signings with USA TODAY Sports here.
Patrick Mahomes will have to do without his top wide receiver until mid-October.
The NFL is suspending Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Rashee Rice for the first six games of the regular season because of his involvement in a high-speed car crash in March 2024. Rice will reportedly not appeal the decision.
That puts him back on the field for the Chiefs’ matchup at home against the Las Vegas Raiders in Week 7.
The 25-year-old receiver pleaded guilty to two third-degree felony charges – collision involving serious bodily injury and racing on a highway causing bodily injury – on July 17. A Dallas district court judge sentenced Rice to five years of probation and 30 days in jail.
Kansas City had to operate without Rice for most of the regular season last year because of a knee injury in Week 4. Rice collided with Mahomes and missed the rest of the season as well as the Chiefs‘ run to Super Bowl 59.
The Chiefs invested in skill positions on offense this offseason, selecting multiple players in the 2025 NFL Draft. Kansas City selected wide receiver Jalen Royals and running back Brashard Smith on Day 3 of the draft and signed tight end Jake Briningstool as an undrafted free agent as well.
Royals is dealing with knee tendonitis which kept him out of the Chiefs’ preseason finale against the Chicago Bears, adding another hit to Kansas City’s depth chart at the position ahead of the regular season.
Chiefs WR depth chart
With Kansas City’s main roster cuts finished, here’s how things stack up entering the regular season opener against the Los Angeles Chargers: