Should I drop Rashee Rice? Week 5 fantasy projection for Chiefs WR

Rashee Rice enjoyed a breakout rookie season with the Kansas City Chiefs last year, posting 938 yards and seven touchdowns. This made him one of the most coveted wide receivers to target during fantasy football drafts this year. He paid off in a big way for managers who drafted him with 288 yards and two touchdowns across his first three games of the 2024 season.

Disaster struck for Rice and his managers in Week 4 when he suffered a devastating knee injury. While the Chiefs have yet to announce his outlook for the remainder of the year, he has already been ruled out for Week 5. Speculation has been circling that he may have torn his ACL, which is often a season-ending injury. This shockingly makes him a drop candidate in fantasy football.

Should I drop Rashee Rice for Week 5 fantasy football?

Rashee Rice

Managers who selected Rashee Rice during their 2024 fantasy football drafts likely used one of their first five picks to do so. They were counting on him to be one of their top contributors, and he delivered on that investment in each of his first three games this year. He failed to record a reception in Week 4, but that is due to him being removed from the game with a knee injury.

Many rumors have suggested that he suffered a major injury, potentially a torn ACL, which would likely mean his season is over. The Chiefs have already ruled him out for Week 5, and doing so this early is never a good sign for any injury outlook. An announcement is expected to come later in the week about the severity of the injury, but a trip to the injured reserve list appears likely.

This puts managers in a difficult spot as Rice's unfavorable situation makes him a drop candidate. It makes sense to wait until an official diagnosis is released, but if he is to miss extended time, he should be replaced by a different fantasy player. For now, the best move is to place him on the fantasy IR in leagues that allow injury slots to the bench.

Rashee Rice fantasy outlook for rest of 2024 season

If Rashee Rice can avoid a major injury diagnosis and return within a reasonable timeline, he will return to being one of the best overall fantasy football wide receivers to target. He opened the 2024 season with three consecutive finishes among the top 15 weekly wide receivers, as he has emerged as Patrick Mahomes' preferred passing target.

If Rice is forced to miss extended time, including potentially missing the remainder of the 2024 season, the Chiefs' other wide receivers will have to step up in his absence. Rookie Xavier Worthy is the most likely candidate to see additional work, while Travis Kelce has an excellent chance of getting back on track.