With wide receiver Rashee Rice making his return, there’s a new energy around the Kansas City Chiefs. And it’s not hard to see why. He’s expected to be a serious nightmare for the Las Vegas Raiders, and that may have head coach Andy Reid feeling both the excitement and the pressure. Former NFL quarterback Derek Carr knows better what’s really happening.

“You get a bigger receiver to go along with the speedy receivers,” said Carr on Home Grown with David & Derek Carr podcast. “Andy’s in his thing, he can’t even put guys where he wants them fast enough. It’s different.” With the Chiefs’ WR room finally finding its footing, it’s understandable.

“He’s going to run a stop route at about 9-10 yds,” said Carr, explaining how lethal Rice really is. “He’s going to throw the corner bypass, he’s going to throw on the outside shoulder or right here (motions) two more yds, and everyone is going to be like ‘Wow’, that’s pretty special.”

After his knee injury that cost him the entire 2024 season, Rice couldn’t start this year due to his 6-game suspension. He also sustained a groin injury in preseason practice.

However, before all the injury woes, he averaged 24 receptions for 288 yards and 2 touchdowns across his first four games last season. It’s understandable why the Chiefs are excited. Patrick Mahomes finally has his WR room complete, and having a big receiver like Rice back also opens up the field for RB Isiah Pacheco.

During this unwanted break, Rice has made sure that he was healthy and ready to get in action when the Chiefs needed him. Worthy is also set to return. While the team brought back wide receiver Hollywood Brown.

The brighter days don’t seem too far away. The entire team is over the moon to have Rice back on the roster.

The Chiefs are excited for Rashee Rice’s return

“I’m very excited,” Mahomes said. “I’ll just leave it there.”

“This week is really big,” Rice told the reporters, raising the hype around him. “It has been a while since I’ve been out there with my guys. I’m excited to get out there and compete.”

Now, the Chiefs could have rested Rice for another game after the suspension. As Chiefs Digest beat reporter Matt Derrick revealed, “With WR Rashee Rice returning today from his six-game suspension, the Chiefs have a one-week roster exemption.”

However, they decided against it. He is elevated to the active roster. And as per KSHB 41 beat reporter Nick Jacobs reported, wide receiver Jason Brownlee was also waived to make space for the player. The team has been planning for the player to return in Week 7.

In the last few weeks, the team has made impressive strides. And Coach Reid believes the reason is the return of his receivers.

“Getting one back was a big thing, Xavier [Worthy] brings a lot of energy,” coach Reid said. “And he can do a lot of things for you, and that he has an attitude there that he brings, and getting Rashee [Rice] back in the building, I also think was a big part.”

But it remains to be seen if Rice can quickly step up for the team.