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Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Rashee Rice is officially off the suspension list for Week 7.

The Kansas City Chiefs wasted no time making things official on October 13, as they announced the activation of suspended star wide receiver Rashee Rice amid the Monday news cycle via the NFL transaction log.

Of course, by activating Rice back onto the 53-man roster, the Chiefs also had to cut one member of the 53 onto waivers. That player, per the transaction log and KSHB 41 beat reporter Nick Jacobs, will be fellow wide receiver Jason Brownlee.

Brownlee was always the logical cut once Rice returned. After all, he was originally added to the active roster after the news of Rice’s suspension.

Brownlee has been active for five of the Chiefs’ six outings in 2025, but he hasn’t had much of an impact since training camp and the preseason.

The 26-year-old former UDFA of the New York Jets has logged 21 total snaps on offense and another 21 on special teams, but has not recorded a catch. He was targeted once by quarterback Patrick Mahomes.

Chiefs Choose to Activate Rashee Rice From the Suspension List Immediately, Hinting He Will Be Ready to Go in Week 7

Just before the news of Rice’s activation, Chiefs Digest beat reporter Matt Derrick went over KC’s options for this procedure.

“With WR Rashee Rice returning today from his six-game suspension, the Chiefs have a one-week roster exemption,” Derrick noted on Monday. “He won’t count against the 53-player roster until the team activates him. That means they also don’t need to make a move until Saturday for him to play vs. [the Las Vegas] Raiders.”

In other words, the Chiefs were allowed to wait until Saturday to reinstate Rice back onto the 53-man roster, but instead chose to do so immediately. This is a clear sign that Rice is ready to play in Week 7, and head coach Andy Reid hinted at that while addressing the media on October 13.

“Listen, I know he’s been working like crazy,” Reid said of Rice on Monday afternoon. “The rule states that we can’t work with him, but I know he’s been… I know he’s been working out hard.”

“I think it’s just a matter of getting him back in the swing [of things],” the Chiefs HC continued. Adding: “I know he’s in good shape, that’s the one thing I do know. I think that will be important.”

Reid went on to conclude that Rice “getting with Patrick [Mahomes]” will be equally important, and that getting them both “on the same page” will be the focus this week at practice.

“We’ll just see how all that works out,” he explained. “We haven’t put the game plan in yet.”

Chiefs Will Risk Losing WR Jason Brownlee on Waivers

The downside of putting Brownlee on the roster in the first place is that there was always a likelihood that he’d eventually be subjected to waivers when he was cut. Now, that day has come.

Brownlee is a talented 6-foot-3 pass-catcher in a league with plenty of wide receiver injuries. It would not be shocking if another NFL team claimed him off waivers this week.

With the Jets as a rookie, Brownlee caught 5 of his 8 targets for 56 yards and 1 touchdown. He made the Jets’ 53-man roster as a rookie and has shown plenty of ability during his various preseason appearances in NY and KC.

Michael Obermuller covers the NFL for Heavy Sports, where he began writing in 2021. His areas of focus include the Kansas City Chiefs, New York Giants, Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Pittsburgh Steelers, with expert knowledge on each based on years of coverage. Michael is an NYC area native and Quinnipiac graduate. More about Michael Obermuller

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