Chiefs rule out Rashee Rice for Sunday's game against the Chargers

Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Rashee Rice will not play Sunday against the Los Angeles Chargers. Head coach Andy Reid ruled him out Friday, after Rice missed practice all week with hamstring and knee injuries, according to Pro Football Talk.

Charles Goldman relayed the same update from Reid's Friday press conference and added that Reid said Rice is getting better.

What is confirmed

Rice is out for Week 6. This will be the first game he misses this season. He has 13 catches for 190 yards and a touchdown so far, and he has not practiced since hurting the hamstring in Kansas City's Week 4 win over the Las Vegas Raiders.

Reid also ruled out left tackle Josh Simmons, who has not played this year because of a back injury. Simmons returned to practice this week, which points to a return soon. There is no word of an injured reserve move for either player.

Why it matters for RSO owners

This is the outcome Wednesday's practice report hinted at. Rice went from a full week of missed practices to an official out, so Sunday is settled and owners no longer need to wait on a late inactive list.

The longer view is calmer. Reid's comment that Rice is improving, combined with no IR talk, suggests the Chiefs see this as a short absence. Hamstrings can linger, though, and Rice has not practiced since the Week 4 injury. Kansas City's other receivers and tight ends absorb his targets for at least one week.

What to do now

Take Rice out of your Week 6 lineup and fill the spot from your bench or waivers. Do not cut him or sell him at a discount over one missed game. His contract value in RSO leagues rests on his role when healthy, and nothing Friday changes that role.

If you have an open roster spot, a Chiefs receiver who gains snaps this week is a reasonable short-term add, but keep the cost low.

Next week's first practice report is the one to watch. If Rice is back on the field, even limited, he lines up for a Week 7 return. Another missed Wednesday would turn this into a multi-week concern and make a bench replacement worth a longer look.