The Detroit Lions have already been faced with some difficulties heading into the 2025-26 season, in that the team has a lot of injuries. It’s all too familiar a feeling, since last season, the Lions were one of the most injury-plagued teams in the NFL. So, the regular season hasn’t even started yet, and the Lions are getting some bum news. But, there’s a little silver lining.
The Lions aren’t the only team in the NFL dealing with problems behind the scene. Pretty much every team has been bitten by the injury bug, and for other teams, players are getting into trouble and getting suspended for some games.
So, heading into the 2025-26 season, at least one team the Detroit Lions are up against is going to be an easier team to face. In a sense, the Lions caught a bit of luck, which they’ll need.
Detroit Lions Luck Out in Week 6 Matchup
The Detroit Lions have one of the most difficult schedules in the NFL this season. The entire NFC North got hit with tough schedules, since the division is so strong. But, there are no excuses, and hopefully the Lions will be ready to go when they kick off the season on the road against the Green Bay Packers.
When the Detroit Lions go up against the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 6, they’ll have a bit of an easier game than they could have experience. That’s because according to Athletic’s Dianna Russini, Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Rashee Rice has accepted the NFL’s six-game suspension. He was hit with the suspension for violating the league’s personal conduct policy.
ESPN’s Adam Schefter also confirmed the news in a post on X, stating, “NFL is aiming for at least a potential six-game suspension for Chiefs WR Rashee Rice for violating the league’s personal conduct policy, sources tell ESPN. The suspension would kick in at the start of this season.”
So, it always feels bad to be happy about another team’s problems. But, it somehow feels less bad when those problems are being suspended for actions taken by a teammate over being injured, because injuries are a serious matter.
The Reason for the Suspension
Rice is being suspended for an incident that happened last year in the Dallas area, where he was driving at a high speed of 119 MPH while racing before a multi-car crash occurred. He pleaded guilty to felony charges. The NFL first were going for a double-digit game suspension, which would have been massive, and his disciplinary hearing would have happened Sept. 30. But, he would have been allowed to play the first four games of the suspension, and the league wanted him to miss games right away. So, it sounds like they both agreed on the six-game suspension being fair.
Rice being gone will certainly help the Lions, since quarterback Patrick Mahomes loved throwing to him. During his 20 games with the Chiefs in 2024, he notched 103 catches for 1,226 receiving yards and nine touchdowns.
It won’t guarantee the Lions a win, but it sure helps. A win over the Chiefs would be huge amid the Detroit Lions’ difficult schedule.
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