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

0 Share Newsweek is a Trust Project member See more of our trusted coverage when you search. Prefer Newsweek on Google to see more of our trusted coverage when you search. After weeks of ramping up his activity, Rashee Rice took part in 11-on-11 work with the Kansas City Chiefs on Wednesday, an encouraging step in his recovery. Rice underwent surgery in May to clear loose debris causing inflammation in his right knee, and the team has slowly eased him back into practice throughout training camp.

Rice was most active during red-zone drills, hauling in multiple short catches, including a bubble screen along the outside and a touchdown. He did come up short on a contested catch from quarterback Patrick Mahomes, though, and reportedly looked tired heading into the practice's final 11-on-11 period before ultimately sitting out that stretch.

Despite the up-and-down return, head coach Andy Reid isn't concerned . "He got a lot of good reps today, which is important," Reid said after practice. "We've just got to ease him back in and just keep working. We know he's a good player. He actually got better as the practice went on, so that was a good thing."

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In Rice's absence, Mahomes has already connected with several other receivers, including Tyquan Thornton, Jalen Royals, and fifth-round rookie Cyrus Allen. But none of them can truly replace Rice.

With Mahomes already back at full speed after his own knee injury, a torn ACL and LCL, he'll need his top receiver healthy too if this team wants to return to the top of the AFC. Travis Kelce only has so much left in the tank, and Xavier Worthy has been dealing with a shoulder sprain that kept him out of Wednesday's practice as well.

Rice's return to practice — and his involvement in 11-on-11 drills — is a great sign that he's on track for Week 1. But it's clear he still needs more reps to fully round back into form. When healthy, he's looked like one of the best receivers in football, and that's exactly the level this team is counting on him to return to in 2026.

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