This story was originally published by Dead Spin
The Kansas City Chiefs believe wide receiver Rashee Rice tore his ACL during a 17-10 victory over the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday, according to reports from ESPN and NFL Network.
Rice was injured in the first quarter, taking a hit from his own quarterback, Patrick Mahomes.
Mahomes threw an interception to Los Angeles cornerback Kristian Fulton, whose 29-yard return ended when Rice came up from behind him and poked the ball loose. Mahomes was simultaneously trying to make a tackle as Rice forced the fumble, and the signal-caller crashed into Rice’s right knee.
Rice, 24, had to be helped off the field, and he was eventually carted to the locker room.
Kansas City initially ruled Rice as questionable to return before downgrading him to out.
“I’m sure it’s not as good of news as we want,” Chiefs coach Andy Reid said postgame.
Rice did not have a catch on Sunday, but he entered the game with the Chargers as Kansas City’s leading receiver through the team’s first three games of the season (24 receptions, 288 yards, two touchdowns). No other pass-catcher had more than eight receptions heading into Sunday.
In two NFL seasons, both with the Chiefs, Rice has hauled in 103 passes for 1,226 yards and nine TDs in 20 games (12 starts).
Kansas City is off to a 4-0 start.
–Field Level Media
