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By Cole Sullivan
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The main storyline heading into the Kansas City Chiefs’ Week 7 matchup against the Las Vegas Raiders on Sunday was the highly anticipated return of wide receiver Rashee Rice, who had just finished serving a six-game suspension for violating the NFL’s personal conduct policy.
It was also his first game since Week 4 of last season, when he suffered a torn ACL in the team’s showdown against the Los Angeles Chargers. And Rice made his presence felt immediately.
On Kansas City’s first offensive possession, Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes connected with Rice on a short push pass from 2 yards out, sending the third-year wideout into the end zone. Rice then punted the football into the crowd — a move that could draw another punishment from the league, as such actions typically carry an $8,114 fine, according to NFL GameDay Accountability.
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The NFL has continued cracking down on player conduct, whether it’s excessive celebrations, taunting, obscene gestures, or unsafe play, including unnecessary roughness. From Week 6 alone, the league handed out 21 fines totaling $244,312 — a trend that has been consistent throughout the season.
Nonetheless, Rice is presumably thrilled to just be back on the field. In the first half, he and Mahomes clearly haven’t missed a beat, combining for six receptions, 36 yards, and two touchdowns.
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Rice burst onto the scene as a rookie in 2023, catching 79 passes for 938 yards and seven touchdowns. He carried that momentum into the first four weeks of 2024, recording 23 receptions for 288 yards and two touchdowns.
Since then, however, the 25-year-old has faced an uphill battle recovering from injury. Now back in action, Rice has the Chiefs’ offense firing on all cylinders — a scary prospect for the rest of the NFL.
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