The New York Giants were involved in big NFL news on August 14, as ESPN NFL insider Adam Schefter revealed that Kansas City Chiefs star wide receiver Rashee Rice’s likely suspension may not come until after Week 4.
“ESPN sources: Chiefs WR Rashee Rice is expected to have his disciplinary hearing with the NFL on Tuesday, Sept 30 in New York,” Schefter reported on X. “This means that Rice now is likely to be able to play the first four weeks of this season before any potential discipline is imposed for his role in a multi-car crash in Dallas during the 2024 offseason.”
Why does this matter from a Giants’ perspective? Well, Big Blue was initially slated to play the Chiefs without Rice in Week 3, assuming his suspension began in Week 1 and lasted at least three weeks. Now, it appears NYG will get Kansas City with their top young playmaker on the field, barring a faster resolution.
“With Rashee Rice’s hearing now on track for Sept. 30, this would make him eligible to play the first four weeks of the season with games against the [Los Angeles] Chargers in Brazil, the [Philadelphia] Eagles, at the [New York] Giants and the [Baltimore] Ravens,” Schefter added in a follow-up post.
On paper, the Giants already have one of the most difficult schedules in football. Needless to say, this tough break likely won’t help their chances of overcoming the odds versus the defending AFC champion Chiefs.
Why Did the NFL Delay the Rashee Rice Suspension Decision Yet Again After Latest News?
GettyKansas City Chiefs wide receiver Rashee Rice is on track to start against the New York Giants in Week 3.
Rice was first involved in a multicar crash in Dallas that left multiple people injured during the 2024 offseason, so why has it taken so long for his expected suspension to be determined and upheld?
The public reason is boring. The NFL always waits for the outcome of a legal proceeding before ruling on a matter itself.
Up until July of 2025, Rice had not been sentenced, and some even thought his court date might get pushed to 2026. Then, seemingly out of nowhere, the Chiefs star was “sentenced to 30 days in jail and five years’ probation for his role in the multicar crash,” per ESPN.
After that July 17 news, the expectation of the NFL community was that Rice would be suspended before Week 1. After all, what else is left to determine?
Now, it seems the league office has pushed back the decision once again, with Rice’s hearing landing on September 30.
Although there is no proof of this, one has to wonder if any of this is ratings-based. Rice and the Chiefs start the season with an important global NFL branding matchup in Brazil, then head back home for a Super Bowl rematch versus the Eagles.
Both should do wonders for the NFL financially, and a Week 4 face-off with Lamar Jackson and the Ravens is no slouch either. Unfortunately for the Giants, they just so happen to fall right in between these big KC showdowns.
Giants Can Better Prepare for News Like This Than in Years Past
On the bright side, the Giants are better prepared to defend against a player like Rice than in years past.
They brought in a true No. 1 cornerback in Paulson Adebo in free agency, and their pass rush looks as formidable as any around the league, with Abdul Carter playing a sort of wild card role that will be difficult for opposing offenses to prep for.
That’s not to say the Giants will beat the Chiefs in Week 3, but they are more equipped to deal with a pass-catcher of Rice’s caliber, should he take the field as expected.
Perhaps Big Blue can catch KC sleeping in between matchups with the Eagles and Ravens.
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