It’s been a long time coming for the Kansas City Chiefs, but they’re finally above .500 for the first time this season. A 31-0 blowout victory over the AFC West rival Las Vegas Raiders was sweet, and one particular element made the win even sweeter.
The club got to see the season debut of wide receiver Rashee Rice. The anticipated return from suspension didn’t disappoint, as the star pass catcher shined on Sunday. His Week 7 showing is best summed up in one word.
Great.
Andy Reid Gushes Over Rashee Rice’s Return to Chiefs’ Lineup
It’s a word head coach Andy Reid and Rice himself used plenty on Sunday afternoon. Reid kicked things off by telling the media he was glad to have Rice back in the fold.
“Listen, it was great to have him back,” Reid said. “I think you saw the trust that Pat [Patrick Mahomes] has in him. It’s so important for Pat and the guys. I thought the whole receiving crew did a nice job. It was great to have him back in there. The energy he brings, I just think, is tremendous.”
In all, Rice played 39 snaps in what was an abbreviated game for many of Kansas City’s critical players. Mahomes, for instance, didn’t set foot on the field in the fourth quarter due to the nature of the score. In his reps, Rice made the most of them by leading the team with 7 receptions on 10 targets. He totaled 42 receiving yards with a pair of touchdowns, turning in an efficient outing.
In the days leading up to the game, a league insider reported Rice would be “full bore” and operate without restrictions on Sunday. Reid admitted that wasn’t quite the case, but Rice was excellent anyway.
“He did a great job,” Reid said. “I was a little cautious with him on how many plays and all that, but I thought he came out and functioned at a high level. For being gone all this time, it’s crazy that he can come back and do what he did, and do it at the level he did it at. We’ll gradually build him up. We’ll get his reps up here a little bit as we go. You’ve got to be careful with that when someone’s been off for a while.”
Rice Says Season Debut ‘Meant More’ Following Suspension
Speaking shortly after Reid, Rice provided an update on how he’s feeling now that his first game back is in the books.
“I feel great,” Rice said. “Coach Reid was asking how I felt during the game. I got a good amount of plays — I could’ve played more, obviously, but we’ve got a long season ahead and we’ve got a lot of guys that can play. It’s an opportunity for everybody.”
Amid the chaos of the suspension, it’s easy to forget that Rice is technically returning from an injury as well. In Week 4 of last season, he was taken out by Mahomes inadvertently on a tackle attempt following an interception. That knee ailment put him on the shelf for the remainder of the season, and the Chiefs sorely missed his presence.
Prior to getting hurt last year, Rice had three full games under his belt. In those opportunities, he recorded 24 receptions for 288 yards and 2 touchdowns. The former second-round pick seemed to be emerging as the go-to option on offense, and Week 7 of this season all but confirmed it.
It’s onward and upward for the Chiefs, who have now scored 30 or more points in three of their last four games. Rice hopes the same rings true for him.
“It meant a lot more today,” Rice said. “You don’t really notice how much you love something until it’s gone, or possibly could be gone. I was able to get a glimpse of that, and I don’t ever want to feel that again. Just being able to be out here with my brothers, that’s the most love I’ve had in a long time. I felt great.”
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