For the Chiefs, Rashee Rice’s outlook is complicated by many factors

Rashee Rice already faces a long and difficult road back He pitched for the Kansas City Chiefs even as he made definitive mention of his knee injury. It is a serious condition that requires significant time for the swelling to subside enough to require the necessary tests to measure its severity. Now that the extent of the damage is known and surgery has been performed, at least the player and team can turn their attention to the future.

But everything in that direction is still equally cloudy.

For those hoping that more testing would give Rice at least some clarity on the path forward, the truth is that his injury is just part of the way his career works, making any discussion of his return to the Chiefs that much more likely. complicated.

First, the truth about Rice’s knee injury is that his timeline for return is similar to that of a torn ACL. According to Chiefs head coach Andy Reid. That alone means the Chiefs will be keeping a close eye on how he fares in minicamp in hopes he can return by Week 1 and look ready for the season. Whether it will suit them at this point is another matter entirely.

That’s because Rice is still being punished by the NFL for his role in the crash that also involved multiple vehicles. Rice’s reckless driving earlier this year. Rice was arrested after a hit-and-run earlier this season and charged with eight felonies, including aggravated assault. Rice surrendered and reportedly cooperated fully with authorities.

There was immediate talk of Rice being suspended, but those talks were put on the table as the league and team were prepared to wait for the legal process to be completed. But those accusations still hang over Rice as the Chiefs begin the season, weighing in on him in the process.

Considering the injury, it will be interesting to see if things work out for Rice at any clip that will allow games missed due to suspension to overlap with the injury. Otherwise, Rice may be eligible to return to the field against the Chiefs but still find himself facing a six- or even eight-game suspension.

Is it possible Rice won’t return for more than a year? Yes. This might be the worst-case scenario, but it’s also not a remote possibility. Rice’s injury will not make anyone looking at her legal status any more sympathetic to her situation. This could mean a longer road ahead for Rice than expected; maybe even by the 2025 season.