After pleading guilty in July to two felony charges related to a high-speed hit-and-run crash that injured at least four people on a Dallas highway last year, Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Rashee Rice will have a disciplinary hearing with the NFL on Sept. 30 in New York.
Because the hearing isn’t scheduled until the end of September, Rice will be available to play in the Chiefs first four games of the season, including a Super Bowl rematch with the Philadelphia Eagles on Sept. 14. Rice will also be available for the opener against the Chargers on Sept. 5 and games three and four against the Giants and Ravens.
NBC Sports’ Mike Florio said Judge Sue L. Robinson will hear Rice’s case. Rice is a former U.S. district judge who serves as the disciplinary officer jointly appointed by the NFL and NFL Players Association and is the same judge who presided over DeShaun Watson’s case in 2022.
Florio said after Robinson issues her punishment, either the NFL or Rice may appeal the decision to the commissioner or his designee.
Rice still has to serve a 30-day jail sentence after reaching a plea deal with the Dallas County District Attorney in July. Though the criminal case is settled, Rice is still dealing with civil cases, including one victim who said that despite reaching an agreement months ago, she is still waiting to be paid.
In Week 4 of the 2024 season, Rice left the field on a cart with a knee injury after a bizarre play in which he collided with Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes as they both pursued Los Angeles Chargers CB Kristian Fulton during an interception return.