Sep 15, 2024; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Rashee Rice (4) warms up against the Cincinnati Bengals prior to a game at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-Imagn Images

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A new trial date has been set for the case regarding Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Rashee Rice, and it comes at an unfortunate time for the NFL calendar.

Rice and his former SMU teammate, Teddy Knox, were involved in a high-speed crash on March 30, 2024. Rice is facing multiple civil lawsuits and criminal charges in connection to the incident.

Earlier this year, Rice’s attorney, Royce West, also a Texas state senator, was granted a legislative continuance so he could be present for duties as a senator before the trial with his client was set to start for the civil case. The Texas legislative session ended on June 2, and state law forbids the civil case from being continued before 30 days after the end of the session.

Kansas City Chiefs WR Rashee Rice’s jury trial set for Jan. 20, 2026

Jul 26, 2024; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Rashee Rice (4) walks down the hill from the locker room to the fields prior to training camp at Missouri Western State University. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports

Per Dallas County Court Records, on Tuesday, the court heard an application and motion for legislative continuance and granted the motion. Per Judge Kim Bailey Phipps, the jury trial is set for January 20, 2026, at 8 a.m. EST.

The Jan. 20 trial date is an unfortunate time for a Chiefs team that wants Rice to be available for a postseason run. The third-year receiver will be available for all of the regular season, but the Jan. 20 date would conflict if the Chiefs made it to the AFC Championship Game, scheduled for Jan. 25.

If the Chiefs make a return trip to the Super Bowl, Rice could have his mind on other things.

The status of the criminal case is unknown, and the league does not plan to take action against Rice until the criminal trial concludes.

Rice’s absence was a hurdle for the Chiefs in their 40-22 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles in February’s Super Bowl. He suffered a season-ending knee injury against the Los Angeles Chargers in Week 4. He is expected to be healthy for Week 1.

Rice is trying to move on from the incident

Feb 11, 2024; Paradise, Nevada, USA; Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) hands off the ball to wide receiver Rashee Rice (4) against the San Francisco 49ers during Super Bowl LVIII at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Last June, Rice said he was trying to move forward following the crash.

“I’ve learned so much from that,” Rice said. “All I can do is mature and continue to grow from that. This is a step in a better direction for me. Accidents and stuff like that happen, but all you can do is move forward and walk around being the same person, try to be positive so that everybody can feel your love and your great energy.”

Sep 29, 2024; Inglewood, California, USA; Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Rashee Rice (4) leaves the field following the game against the Los Angeles Chargers at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images