NFL

Chiefs top WR Rice feared to have torn ACL

By Sports Desk September 29, 2024

The Kansas City Chiefs earned another win on Sunday, but may have lost their top wide receiver in the process.

Multiple outlets reported that the two-time reigning Super Bowl champions believe Rashee Rice tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee during the team's 17-10 Week 4 win over the Los Angeles Chargers.

Rice, who led the NFL with 24 receptions through this season's first three weeks, will undergo an MRI Monday to confirm the initial diagnosis, according to ESPN.

The second-year wideout was injured in the first quarter of Sunday's game when he collided with Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes, who inadvertently dove into Rice's knee as the two teammates were attempting to tackle Chargers cornerback Kristian Fulton on an interception return.

Rice was carted off to the locker room shortly after leaving the field and eventually ruled out of the game.

The injury further depletes the Chiefs at an already thin position, as projected No. 2 receiver Marquise "Hollywood" Brown is expected to miss the entire regular season due to a preseason shoulder injury that required surgery.

Kansas City is also currently without leading rusher Isiah Pacheco, who is recovering from a fractured fibula he sustained in Week 2. 

After recording 79 receptions for 938 yards and a team-leading seven touchdown catches during a strong 2023 rookie campaign, Rice was far and away Mahomes' top target during the early stages of this season. He accumulated 288 receiving yards and two touchdowns on his 24 catches through the first three games.

No other Kansas City player had double-digit receptions entering Sunday's contest. 

Despite their injury issues, the Chiefs moved to 4-0 with Sunday's victory and have now won 10 consecutive games dating back to last season, which includes four wins in the 2023 NFL playoffs.

 

 

 

 

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