The NFL and the Players Association are still haggling over a suspension for Chiefs receiver Rashee Rice, with the league initially proposing a ban of at least 10 games.
Disagreement over the length of the suspension will result in a disciplinary hearing scheduled for Sept. 30, according to a report Friday by NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero, who added that an accord still could be reached before the Chiefs’ season opener on Sept. 5 against the Chargers.
The 25-year-old Rice is expected to be disciplined under the NFL’s personal conduct policy following his conviction stemming from a high-speed, multi-vehicle crash in Dallas in March of 2024.
He was slapped with a 30-day jail sentence to be served at any point during a five-year probation period after pleading guilty to two third-degree felony charges in July.
According to the report, the scheduled Sept. 30 hearing would be run by Judge Sue L. Robinson, who handed down Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson’s 11-game suspension in 2022.
The 2023 second-round pick appeared in only four games for Kansas City last season due to a knee injury after registering 79 receptions for 938 yards and seven touchdowns as a rookie.
Upon reporting to training camp last month, Rice said he has “completely changed” since the incident. He reportedly left the scene of the five-car accident on foot before police arrived.
“I’ve learned, and I’ve taken advantage of being able to learn from something like that,” Rice said. “All I can do is focus on what I can control right now, and that’s me doing what I do best right here on the field.”
A Sept. 30 hearing would allow Rice to play in the Chiefs’ first four games, which also includes a Week 2 Super Bowl rematch with the Eagles, visiting the Giants for their home opener in Week 3 and a heavyweight AFC battle with the Ravens at home in Week 4.
[Notigroup Newsroom in collaboration with other media outlets, with information from the following sources]
