Source: Chiefs clarity on rice, eyes waiting for WR trade

With the Chiefs bracing for Rushie Rice to be out for an extended period of time, Kansas City wants to try to make another move at wide receiver — just as it has in each of the past two years, league sources told ESPN.

The Chiefs will first seek a final decision from doctors on Rice's status, which could come as early as Monday after he undergoes a knee procedure, according to league sources.

There is still some hope that Rice could return this season and be sidelined for 6-8 weeks, according to league sources, but nothing will be determined until early next week. It's currently difficult to know how realistic it is that Rice could return this season, though the Chiefs haven't given up hope on that possibility just yet.

Once the Chiefs have clarity on Rice's injury, they can jump into action. Two years ago, the Chiefs acquired Kadarius Toney from the Giants before the trade deadline. Last year, they brought back Mecole Hardman in a trade with the Jets just before the deadline.

With Rice out indefinitely this year, and Hollywood Brown missing the rest of the regular season due to a shoulder injury that required surgery, the Chiefs will explore all their options to determine if they can make another trade for the wide receiver.

The Chiefs explored signing DeAndre Hopkins through the 2023 offseason, before agreeing to a two-year, $26 million deal with the Titans. Now that Hopkins is in the final year of his contract, the Titans could be tempted to entertain offers for their veteran wide receiver.

The Chiefs may also reach out to the Jets if New York is able to land Davante Adams, league sources said, asking if New York is interested in moving another of its wide receivers.

The Chiefs are not expected to be able to land Adams for a number of reasons. For starters, the Chiefs have just under $5 million in available cap space, and the Raiders will need help paying some of Adams' base salary this season. But the Raiders don't want to do favors, financial or otherwise, for their longtime division rival.

Adams also may not be enthusiastic about playing in Kansas City, where he was charged with assault after an October 2022 game for running a credentialed media job. Adams pushed the man, identified by police as Ryan Zebley, who was working for ESPN as a freelance photographer. The misdemeanor charge was later dropped.

It won't be easy for Adams — or any receiver — to take over the Chiefs offense in the middle of the season after not working with Patrick Mahomes.

The Chiefs placed Rice on injured reserve Thursday in a move that will sideline him for at least the next four games. He suffered the injury last Sunday when Mahomes bumped his knee while teammates were chasing a Chargers fumble that followed an interception.

Rice leads the Chiefs with 24 receptions and 288 yards receiving in four games this season. He is also tied for the team lead with two touchdown receptions.