All 32 teams in the league have dropped down to 53 players, and the focus is on filling in the gaps leading up to the season. The Detroit Lions open up the season on the road against the Green Bay Packers in an NFC North tilt.
That is a hefty matchup to begin the season, but the nature of the NFL. Every week will be a tough game, and you just have to outscheme your opponent. There are certain things that can make the contest easier, and that will be the case for Detroit's game against the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 6.
According to the Athletic's Dianna Russini, Kansas City Chiefs WR Rashee Rice has accepted the league's six-game suspension. He is missing time for violating the league’s personal conduct policy.
Chiefs WR Rashee Rice has accepted a six-game suspension that will start in Week 1, per source.
— Dianna Russini (@DMRussini) August 27, 2025
Rice will be eligible to return Oct. 19 against the Raiders. pic.twitter.com/HTEcjA8cCj
Chiefs WR Rashee Rice Will Miss Matchup vs. Lions
Last year, Rice was reportedly driving at a high speed of 119 MPH while racing before a multi-car crash occurred. He pleaded guilty to felony charges. The NFL initially sought a double-digit game suspension, and Rice's disciplinary hearing would take place Sept. 30. That would have allowed him to play the first four games of the suspension, but the NFL wanted him to miss games immediately.
Rice's absence from this contest is an advantage for the Lions, as he was one of Patrick Mahomes' favorite targets. In 20 games with the Chiefs, he had 103 catches for 1,226 receiving yards and nine touchdowns.
He typically lined up in the slot and chewed up targets in the short and intermediate areas of the field. The Chiefs still have Xavier Worthy, Hollywood Brown, and Travis Kelce as their top targets in the passing attack, but one less WR for Mahomes to have at his disposal is for the better.
Last season, Detroit ranked 30th in the league in pass defense (244). That led to them adding D.J. Reed in free agency. And you can't forget about Terrion Arnold, whose going into his second season and the team expects a jump from in 2025.
Lions' new defensive coordinator Kelvin Sheppard now has one less problem to scheme against in this matchup, and that's a big win in what will be a pivotal matchup.