It appears as though the Kansas City Chiefs' quest for a three-peat will go on without second-year wide receiver Rashee Rice.
According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, though the injury to Rice is not as significant as first feared, it's unlikely he plays again this season after hurting his knee in Week 4.
Schefter further reported that there is an outside chance he recovers in time to rejoin the Chiefs during the 2024 campaign, but doctors will not know for sure until Tuesday's surgery.
Regardless, Schefter confirms that there is "a lot of optimism" that the injury is less significant than what was first feared.
NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported that it's his LCL — lateral collateral ligament — that needs repair and that Rice should be healthy for next season if that is the only ligament — not the ACL — that requires reconstruction.
Rice, 24, was placed on IR with the knee injury last Thursday following a collision with Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes while trying to make a tackle in late September.
Rice is the two-time defending Super Bowl champions' leading receiver with 24 catches for 288 yards and two touchdowns. Travis Kelce is second with 15 catches for 158 yards.
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