Chiefs Receiver’s Civil Court Date Set for January as Legal Situation Continues
Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Rashee Rice is still facing legal uncertainty as the 2025 NFL season moves forward. His civil court date related to the high-speed car crash in Dallas is now officially set for January 20th, just days before the AFC Championship Game is typically played. The timing raises questions about how the legal process could impact his availability during the most important stretch of the season. While this is only the civil case, Rice still has a separate criminal case pending without a set court date. If Rice were to get suspended, receivers Xavier Worthy and Marquise Brown will need to step up.
The civil suit stems from the multi-car crash that occurred in March, when Rice and SMU cornerback Theodore “Teddy” Knox were allegedly racing at high speeds on a Dallas highway. The crash caused injuries to multiple individuals and extensive damage to several vehicles. Victims in the case are seeking damages for medical bills, emotional distress, and lost income. Rice has not spoken publicly in detail about the case, though his attorney released a statement in the spring indicating that he was cooperating with authorities.
In terms of criminal proceedings, Rice was charged with one count of aggravated assault, one count of collision involving serious bodily injury, and several counts of collision involving injury. Those charges remain pending, and no court date for the criminal case has been scheduled as of late June. The league has not yet announced a decision on whether Rice will face discipline under the NFL’s personal conduct policy. That determination may depend on the outcomes of both the civil and criminal cases, or it could come earlier if the NFL decides to act independently.
On the field, Rice has returned to full participation with the team and continues to be one of Patrick Mahomes’ key targets. He missed offseason team activities while dealing with the legal process and rehabbing his torn ACL, but has since rejoined the team during training camp. The Chiefs have not made any public comment on the pending court dates or possible suspensions. While the team is preparing for another postseason run, Rice’s legal issues remain a lingering distraction.
The January 20th court date looms as a potential turning point in Rice’s legal battle. Whether or not it will affect his playoff availability remains to be seen. Kansas City will be hoping the legal proceedings don’t interfere with their push for another championship. For now, the focus shifts to the schedule ahead as the Chiefs gear up for the season.
