How can Chiefs replace Rashee Rice after injury? Options on the active roster, free agents and trade targets

The Kansas City Chiefs pulled off a comeback win Sunday afternoon against the division rival Los Angeles Chargers, improving their record to 4-0 in the process. Early in the game, however, the Chiefs suffered a big loss: star wide receiver Rashee Rice left the game with a knee injury when Patrick Mahomes’ helmet banged into the receiver’s leg while Mahomes was trying to make a tackle. 

Rice was carted to the locker room and quickly ruled out. Head coach Andy Reid wouldn’t give much detail on the injury, but he did say that it is “not good.” Rice is feared to have torn his ACL, per ESPN, which would leave Kansas City with an absolutely massive hole to fill in its offense for the remainder of the season.

Through the first three games of the season, Rice led the Chiefs in catches (24), targets (29), receiving yards (288) and receiving touchdowns (2). He was drawing a target on 33.7% of Chiefs pass attempts — the second-largest share in the NFL, via Tru Media. His targets per route run rate of 34.1%, meanwhile, ranked first among the 78 players who had run at least 75 routes through Week 3.

There are a number of options available for the Chiefs to replace him, but not that many of them are appealing. We’ll run through the choices based on a few different categories: players on the Chiefs’ current roster, available free agents and trade targets. 

We’ll be focusing mostly on players who can work as short-area quick-game targets or slot receivers, because that has been Rice’s primary role since his elevation into the starting lineup. 




Source link : https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/how-can-chiefs-replace-rashee-rice-after-injury-options-on-the-active-roster-free-agents-and-trade-targets/

Author : Jared Dubin

Publish date : 2024-09-30 21:08:02

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