Chiefs' Andy Reid on WR Rashee Rice's knee injury: 'It's not good'

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Friendly fire may cause Rashee Rice to miss signinificant time after he was clattered into by Patrick Mahomes.

Rice has been on a record-setting tear to the season, but the Kansas City Chiefs’ second-year wide receiver left Sunday’s game against the Los Angeles Chargers in the first quarter with a right knee injury.

Sideline reporter Tracy Wolfson asked Chiefs coach Andy Reid if he could provide an update as he left the field at halftime, with Kansas City trailing 10-7.

"No, but it's not good," Reid said.

Rice's injury was the biggest development in a disastrous start to the game for the Chiefs.

Carson Steele fumbled on the opening possession and the Chargers marched to the end zone 10 plays later.

Mahomes then overthrew Travis Kelce deep down the left sideline for an interception by cornerback Kristian Fulton, who returned the ball 20 yards into Kansas City territory.

Rice actually forced a fumble, hustling to corral Fulton from behind.

But as he chopped the ball free, Mahomes dove to try and tackle Fulton and instead caught Rice, whose right foot had just planted in the SoFi Stadium turf, in the leg.

The collision bent Rice’s knee backward and he hobbled off the field.

After being checked by trainers, Rice was taken to a cart, laid on the back and was driven to the locker room with his hands on his head.

Initially, the Chiefs announced that Rice was questionable to return with a knee injury, but he was downgraded to out after getting X-rayed.

Ashley Landis/AP

Rice set a franchise record with an AFC-best 24 catches in Kansas City’s first three games. His 288 yards ranked fourth in the NFL, including a league-best 186 yards after the catch.

Rice’s 15 first downs also ranked fourth in the NFL.

The Chiefs' defense only allowed two yards in the second quarter, and Mahomes connected with rookie wide receiver Xavier Worthy on a 54-yard touchdown in the second quarter to keep the game close.

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