Report: Rashee Rice will have knee surgery next week

“Exploratory surgery” is a term that used to be adopted by 8-track tapes and gasoline. It sounds like there's going to be a comeback.

Via Ian Rapoport of NFL Media, Chiefs receiver Rashee Rice will undergo surgery this week to determine the severity of the knee injury he suffered last week against the Chargers. And yes, it sounds exploratory.

Rice will see a specialist “who plans to undergo an arthroscopic procedure to determine the damage in his knee.” Then Rice and the Chiefs will likely know whether he will be able to play again this year.

I've been doing this for 24 years. I cannot recall a knee injury that could only be diagnosed through surgery. Maybe it happened and I just forget it. Maybe it was never explained that way. Regardless, this seems unusual.

It comes at a time when Rice's broader career strategies suggest so Solving his off-field problem (He faces eight felony charges as a result of a street racing incident in March 2024), faces a suspension this year, is serving it while injured, and hopes to return to the NFL healthy and unencumbered in 2025 . Is the extent of his injury? Played slowly so a suspension seems to make sense as there is a vague chance he could be used again?

We don't know the answer. But it's fair to at least wonder about the question.

A clear answer could be available as early as this week if the final result of the exploratory process is that Rice is indeed out for the year. If there is still no definitive diagnosis and prognosis, this question is still valid.