Kansas City Chiefs coach Andy Reid expects wide receiver Rashee Rice to be a full participant in training camp.
Reid made the announcement Sunday in St. Joe, Mo., where the team reported for the start of camp. Just a few days earlier Rice was sentenced to 30 days in jail as part of his plea agreement after he and another driver were speeding and caused a multiple-car crash on an interstate in Dallas last spring.
Though Rice could face a suspension by the NFL, Reid said he hadn’t received word of when that could happen. Rice also has some leeway as to when he must serve his sentence.
“We’re going to progress as normal with him,” Reid said. “He’ll go in and take all the reps that he’d normally take. And we always rotate that position. So depending on what happens here in the future, whoever needs to play will be able to step in and they’ll know what they’re doing and be in good shape to do it.”
Rice played in just four games last season, catching 24 passes for 288 yards and two touchdowns before injuring his knee. After Patrick Mahomes threw an interception and went to make the tackle, he collided with Rice. The result was a torn ligament, forcing Rice to miss the rest of the season.
Reid, however, said there will be no restrictions on Rice during camp, but added they’ll still watch him closely.
“We’ll keep an eye on that,” Reid said. “And as far as pulling back because of suspensions or whatever that whole thing is, you know, we’re going forward with it. And then we’ll monitor him as far as the injury goes.”
Chiefs sign Karlaftis
The Chiefs also agreed to a four-year, $93-million contract with defensive end George Karlaftis.
“He’s a heck of a player, and he’s done a great job here,” Reid said. “It’s a win-win. He’s a relentless player. You can trust him, he’s reliable. He’s going to do the right things and go 100 mph doing it.”
In his three years with the Chiefs, Karlaftis has 24.5 sacks.
