Despite Rashee Rice going on injured reserve, people in the organization have growing optimism that he will return this season.

You might recall that deep throws were once staples of the Chiefs’ offense. Mahomes took more shots than any quarterback in football in 2018. Completed more of them, too. It was his first year as starter, and PFF graded him 99.4 — darn near perfect — on throws that traveled more than 20 yards. He unleashed 92 of them that season, or 5.8 per game.

Rice suffered a knee injury after colliding with Mahomes during the Chiefs' Week 4 win over the Los Angeles Chargers.