Is Rashee Rice playing tonight? Chiefs WR's status revealed for MNF showdown vs Saints

Rashee Rice is a key part of the Kansas City Chiefs offense as the team's WR1. Rice had an impressive rookie season in 2023, amassing 79 catches, 938 receiving yards and seven touchdowns in the regular season and then coming up big in the playoffs as the Chiefs retained the Super Bowl.

Let's examine whether Rice will play in Monday night's game against the New Orleans Saints at the Arrowhead Stadium.

Is Rashee Rice playing tonight?

No, Rashee Rice is not playing tonight against the New Orleans Saints. Rice suffered a knee injury in his team's Week 4 game against the Los Angeles Chargers, and he has since been placed on injured reserve.

That means that Rashee Rice will be sidelined for at least four regular season games before the Chiefs could activate him. Rice got hurt on the Chiefs' second drive of the matchup. It occurred when Patrick Mahomes crashed into Rice's right knee, and the pass catcher was carted off the field.

According to Yahoo Sports, Rice will see a specialist "with plans to have an arthroscopic procedure to help determine the damage in his knee." At the moment, Rice and the Kansas City Chiefs are uncertain as to whether he can play again this year.

In the meantime, Rice will be replaced in the starting lineup by one of JuJu Smith-Schuster, Justin Watson, Samaje Perine or Skyy Moore.

It's also possible that coach Andy Reid chooses to prioritize feeding Travis Kelce more targets, as the perennial All-Pro tight end has been less prominent in the Chiefs' offense since Rice was drafted. It might be time to utilize the proven formula as the Chiefs aim for a historic three-peat in the 2024-2025 season.

How to watch Chiefs vs. Saints?

The Kansas City Chiefs and New Orleans Saints will face off in this week's Monday Night Football game. The fixture starts at 8:15 p.m. ET on Monday.

Here's what you need to know:

• Date: Monday, Oct. 7, 2024
• Time: 8:15 p.m. ET
• Venue: Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas
• TV: ESPN
• Live stream: FuboTV and DAZN

The Chiefs will aim to keep their unbeaten streak alive, while the Saints are eager to get back to winning ways. The game will feature two Pro Bowl-caliber quarterbacks and impressive offenses in the air and on the ground.