Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid explained why wide receiver Rashee Rice will be allowed to participate at training camp after receiving a 30 day jail sentence.
Rice’s sentence, which also includes five years probation, was handed down by the Dallas County District Attorney’s office on Thursday, July 17.
The NFL star, 25, pleaded guilty to two third-degree felony charges: collision involving serious bodily injury and racing on a highway causing bodily injury. In May 2024, Rice caused a multi-car crash in Dallas when he crashed his Lamborghini SUV while driving 119 miles per hour.
“We’re going to progress as normal with him,” Reid, 67, told reporters on Sunday, July 20. “He’ll go in and take all the reps that he’ll normally take.”
The Kansas City Chiefs officially open training camp on Tuesday, July 22, at Missouri Western State University in St. Joseph, Missouri.
“We always rotate that position,” Reid added. “Depending on what happens here with the future — whoever needs to play will step in and know what they are doing and be in good shape to do it.”
A judge ruled that Rice can serve his jail time at any point during the five-year probation period. He received deferred adjudication and his case will be dismissed if he completes the probation, according to ESPN.
The NFL can now explore their own disciplinary action against Rice and it’s expected he will face a suspension at some point during the upcoming season.
“We have been closely monitoring all developments in the matter, which remains under review,” NFL vice president of communications Brian McCarthy told ESPN.
In a statement released by his attorney on Thursday, Rice said he is “profoundly sorry for the physical damages to person and property.”
“Last March, I was involved in a high-speed accident in Dallas,” Rice said. “There have been a lot of sleepless nights thinking about the damages that my actions caused, and I will continue working within my means to make sure that everyone impacted will be made whole. I urge everyone to mind the speed limit, drive safe and drive smart.”
He added, “I fully apologize for the harm I caused to innocent drivers and their families.”
Before pleading guilty, Rice also paid over $115,000 in restitution to the victims of the crash for their medical expenses.
Kansas City Chiefs training camp runs through Wednesday, August 13.
The team opens their preseason schedule on August 9 against the Arizona Cardinals before their regular season begins with a trip to Brazil to face the Los Angeles Chargers on September 5.
