'Going to be hard' for Chiefs to keep Rashee Rice off the field vs. Raiders

Adam Schultz

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'Going to be hard' for Chiefs to keep Rashee Rice off the field vs. Raiders image

Kansas City Chiefs receiver Rashee Rice is set to make his return after his six-game suspension is now over, with the Las Vegas Raiders on the schedule.

Given he has been out for so long, it is a common thought that Rice would be on a ramp-up back to full "football shape," but ESPN's Jeremy Fowler predicts a heavy workload, and now comes Patrick Mahomes, who is delighted to have his top weapon back.

And when asked what expectations Rice would have for himself amid his return to the field, Patrick gave a little insight into Rashee's mindset, but also what the team can do as well in terms of helping him adjust back into football life.

"I mean, he's going to want to be out there every single play,” Mahomes said. “That's the mentality that he has. I think it's going to be our job as teammates and coaches to build him back the right way. But it's going to be hard to keep him off the field for sure.”

More: Chiefs reveal Rashee Rice 'win-win' amid impending return

Chiefs face delicate balancing act with Rice's return

This week will all be about getting Rice's legs underneath him from a football standpoint, with an eye towards him seeing the field against the Raiders. Head coach Andy Reid has stated Rice will play, but it is just a question of how much he will play, given he has been out for so long. 

A limited snap count is the best bet, with Rice likely to see the field for a handful of snaps to ease his way back into football. Of course, Fowler's report suggests otherwise, so it will be fascinating to see how the coaching staff plays it against the Raiders.

Either way, Rice is back, and going by Mahomes' words, even if the Chiefs want to put him on a snap count, it is going to be hard taking No. 4 off the field.

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Adam Schultz

Adam Schultz is a freelance writer at The Sporting News. An Australian journalist with years of experience covering the Dallas Cowboys and the NFL, Adam has interviewed several high-profile athletes in Australia for various sites and brings a unique view on the NFL.