Rashee Rice Sidelined as Chiefs Injury Report Lists Him Out Again

Chiefs receiver Rashee Rice was sidelined from practice on Wednesday with a knee and hamstring problem, according to the team's injury report for its Week 7 game against the Seattle Seahawks. The update came the same week Kansas City placed left tackle Josh Simmons on injured reserve, a move that has drawn scrutiny over the handling of his absence.

Injury report details

The Seahawks published their Week 7 injury report, which lists Kansas City's status for the game. Rice was among the Chiefs players listed as not practicing on Wednesday, with the knee and hamstring issues noted. Right tackle Jaylon Moore also did not practice because of a concussion.

Simmons was a non-participant on Wednesday for what the team listed as a personal matter. Reports of the injury report note that the Chiefs have not publicly detailed Rice's expected timeline for returning to practice.

Simmons placed on injured reserve

The Chiefs later announced that Simmons was going on injured reserve. Chiefs Vice President of Sports Medicine and Performance Rich Burkholder said Simmons first reported a leg issue on August 17, which the team linked to a bulging disc in his back. Burkholder said a specialist recommended therapy instead of surgery.

Simmons has not played this season. Fox News reported that the designation requires him to miss at least four games. Burkholder said Simmons had been listed as a non-participant for "back/non-injury personal reasons" before the decision was made.

Questions about the handling of the absence

Fox News columnist reports questioned the team's account, pointing out that earlier explanations in August suggested a minor injury and a return by Week 1, which did not happen. Burkholder said Simmons had plateaued in his recovery. Head coach Andy Reid had said earlier in the week that Simmons would continue to ramp up, and Reid did not list Simmons among players who would not practice on Wednesday morning. The team has said Reid simply did not mention the left tackle's status.

ESPN, in a separate report headlined around the rehab process stalling, also covered the move. Reporting on Simmons' earlier season, including a month-long absence last year that the team described as a personal matter, has added to the questions around his availability. Simmons has appeared in eight games across his first two NFL seasons.

What we know so far

Rice's status for the Seahawks game remains listed as uncertain on the injury report, and the Chiefs have not announced a return date for him. Simmons is set to miss at least four games under the injured reserve designation. Whether the team will need a new starting left tackle for Mahomes' protection is the next question for the coaching staff.

Chiefs and Seahawks injury reports can change before kickoff, so updates from the team's final practice reports will clarify the lineup.