Patrick Mahomes, Chiefs likely to have a favorite target available week 1 vs. Ravens after star's tumultuous offseason

• e-mail

Chiefs wide receiver Rashee Rice will be available next Thursday for the team's 2024-25 NFL season opener against the Ravens, as he is not expected to be placed on the commissioner's exempt list stemming from his arrest in the spring.

'We don't anticipate he'll be placed on (the) commissioner's exempt (list) unless there's a material change in the case,' NFL spokesperson Brian McCarthy told reporters on Thursday -- a week before regular season football returns to Kansas City.

A player placed on the commissioner's exempt list is paid by his team but is not allowed to participate in practice or attend games. They also do not count against the team's roster limit.

Rice has participated in the Chiefs' offseason programs this summer. The 24-year-old was involved in a six-car crash on March 30 in Dallas, Texas, that left seven people with injuries, including at least one woman who sustained 'serious bodily injury' and another who was stranded on the highway with her four-year-old son for about five hours after the crash.

Rice faces one count of aggravated assault, one count of collision involving serious bodily injury and six counts of collision involving injury. 

Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes will have a primary receiving options available against the Ravens

Read More

Josh Allen reacts to being voted biggest trash-talking QB in NFL

Police said Rice was going as fast as 119 mph on a Dallas freeway.

A second-round pick in 2023, Rice set the Chiefs' rookie record for receiving touchdowns (seven) and receptions (79) last season. 

He added 26 catches in the playoffs for the Super Bowl champions.

Rice recorded the second-most receiving yards by a rookie in Chiefs history (938), trailing only Dwayne Bowe (995 in 2007).

The Chiefs - the 2022 and 2023 Super Bowl champions - are looking to become the first team in NFL history to win three consecutive championships. 

Chiefs WR Rashee Rice will not be placed on the NFL's commissioner's exempt list in Week 1

Their biggest change will be on offense. 

The Chiefs worked hard to revamp what was one of the least-productive groups of wide receivers in the NFL last season, adding 'Hollywood' Brown in free agency and drafting Xavier Worthy in the first round. Both should be a big part of the offense. 

However, Brown hurt his shoulder in their exhibition opener and may not be ready for Week 1 but with Rice's availability confirmed ahead of Week 1, Mahomes has more wide receiving options than expected.