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OFFICE: Chiefs’ Brightest Young Offensive Star Placed on IR after Training Camp Injury

KANSAS CITY, MO — August 12, 2025

The Kansas City Chiefs’ training camp absorbed an early blow as second-year wide receiver Rashee Rice was placed on injured reserve following a groin injury suffered during practice at Missouri Western State University. The move, confirmed on August 7, is a setback for a player projected to be a central piece of Kansas City’s high-powered offense as the franchise pursues a historic third straight Super Bowl.

A 2023 second-round pick out of SMU, Rice broke through as a rookie with 79 receptions, 938 yards, and 7 touchdowns, establishing himself as a trusted target for Patrick Mahomes. Blending speed with sharp route-running and strong contested-catch ability, he quickly stood out in the receiver room. The non-contact injury has him sidelined for at least the early portion of the 2025 season, leaving a noticeable void in the Chiefs’ attack.

Head coach Andy Reid acknowledged the disappointment while voicing confidence in Rice’s response. “Rashee’s a tough kid with a great work ethic,” Reid said. “This is a bump in the road, but we know he’ll attack rehab like he does everything else.” Rice, visibly frustrated, echoed the resolve. “Nobody wants to start the season like this. My focus is getting healthy, supporting my teammates, and coming back stronger. Playing for Chiefs Kingdom is a dream—I’ll be back to make plays.”

Teammates rallied behind him. Tight end Travis Kelce praised Rice’s presence even while sidelined: “He’s still in the huddle with us, even from the sidelines,” Kelce noted. In the short term, Rice’s absence increases the pressure on fellow receivers — notably Marquise “Hollywood” Brown and rookie Xavier Worthy — to shoulder more of the load as the Chiefs gear up for their preseason opener against the Arizona Cardinals.

The Chiefs’ demanding camp emphasizes physicality and consistency, and Rice’s injury underscores the grind of keeping a roster healthy through August. With the regular season approaching, Kansas City will turn to its depth while Rice rehabs. Fans are banking on the resilience he showed during his standout rookie campaign to fuel a swift return. As the Chiefs mount another push for a deep postseason run, Rice’s progress will be closely watched — with hopes of seeing him back in red and gold as soon as he’s ready.

Chiefs Fan-Favourite WR Faces Family Tragedy After Week 5 Game as Military-Trained Skydiving Instructor Dies in Nashville
Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Rashee Rice is mourning a devastating personal loss following the team’s Week 5 matchup, as his cousin Justin Fuller, a respected military-trained skydiving instructor, died in a tragic tandem jump accident near Nashville. Fuller, 35, was fatally injured after becoming separated from his parachute harness mid-air during a jump organized by Go Skydive Nashville. His student survived after landing in a tree with the parachute deployed and was later rescued by firefighters. Police confirmed Fuller’s body was recovered in a wooded area off Ashland City Highway. The Nashville Fire Department called it “one of the most complex high-angle rescues in recent years,” commending its personnel for the effort. Justin Fuller, known by the nickname "Spidey," died after a tandem skydiving jump went wrong on Oct. 4, 2025, near Nashville, Tennessee.  (Facebook/Justin Fuller Spidey ) Fuller, known affectionately as “Spidey,” had completed more than 5,000 jumps and trained U.S. military personnel in advanced aerial maneuvers. Friends described him as “fearless, focused, and committed to lifting others higher — both in life and in the air.” Rice, who grew up admiring his cousin’s discipline and sense of purpose, has long credited that example with shaping his mental toughness and leadership on the field. A relative told local media, “Justin taught Rashee that strength isn’t being unbreakable — it’s standing firm when life hits hardest. That’s exactly how Rashee lives and plays today.” As a featured target in the Chiefs’ offense, Rice has earned complete trust for his short-to-intermediate separation, yards-after-catch power (YAC), and chemistry with quarterback Patrick Mahomes. Coaches describe him as “calm, focused, and mature beyond his years,” a disciplined route-runner who finds tight windows in the red zone. Through Week 5 of the 2025 season, Rice has no registered game statistics as he serves a league-issued six-game suspension to start the regular season; major stat services list no 2025 game logs to date.  The Kansas City Chiefs have provided time and private support for Rice and his family, ensuring he can grieve without team-related obligations. Teammates have stood beside him, honoring both his resilience and his family’s tradition of service. The FAA is investigating the incident, while messages commemorating “Spidey” continue to spread nationwide.“He taught others to fly — now he flies higher than all of us,” one tribute read. Rice kept his public remarks brief before leaving in the embrace of teammates:“Spidey always told me not to fear the height — only the moment you forget to look down and pull someone else up with you. This week, I’m playing for him.”