The Kansas City Chiefs are 4-0, one of two remaining undefeated teams in the NFL through four weeks of 2024 season. Despite their perfect record, the season has been incredibly imperfect for the Chiefs, who have won each of their games by seven or less points. Indeed, they have had to overcome multiple challenges as a team already, including some season-ending or long-term injuries to key players.
Running back Isiah Pacheco, for example, is on injured reserve after fracturing his fibula. Wide receiver Marquis “Hollywood” Brown suffered a season-ending shoulder injury in Kansas City’s first preseason game.
And then there is Rashee Rice.
The Kansas City Chiefs Put Wide Receiver Rashee Rice on Injured Reserve
Rice, a second-year wide receiver out of SMU, was injured in the Chiefs’ most recent victory, a 17-10 win over the Los Angeles Chargers. He was chasing down a defender who had intercepted a pass from Patrick Mahomes.
The Chiefs quarterback attempted to make a tackle, but also made contact with Rice’s knee when doing so.
At first, it was believed that he had suffered a torn ACL. While that diagnosis has not been ruled out, his knee is too swollen for Kansas City to do any more tests.
On Thursday, the Chiefs made the decision to put Rice on injured reserve. When addressing the media, head coach Andy Reid said there is “no greater sense of optimism” in regard to Rice’s injury.
While the decision should have been expected, there are many fans who believe this situation is part of a larger conspiracy.
NFL Fans Cry “Conspiracy” When the Kansas City Chiefs Put Rashee Rice on IR
It is no secret that many fans believe that the NFL is scripted, rigged, or downright dishonest. Perhaps it is no surprise, then, that many fans believe that Rice’s injury and the timing of Kansas City’s decision to put him on IR are all part of a bigger conspiracy:
As one can see, there are some fans who believe that Rice going on injured reserve may line up with a possible suspension from the NFL because of the wide receiver’s legal problems this past offseason.
Others cannot understand why the Chiefs have not been able to diagnose the injury yet.
In any case, Rice is out for at least four weeks with his placement on injured reserve. He could be out longer depending on what future tests reveal about the nature of his injury.
In regard to Rice’s legal issues, the NFL has had months to make a decision on any possible suspension for his actions. While he is being sued by victims injured as a result of his reckless driving, the league itself has not taken any form of action against him.
If they were going to, they probably would have by now.
