Kansas City Brings Back Rashee Rice, Waives Jason Brownlee in Roster Shuffle
The Kansas City Chiefs wasted no time making things official on October 13, as they announced the activation of suspended star wide receiver Rashee Rice amid the Monday news cycle via the NFL transaction log.
Of course, by activating Rice back onto the 53-man roster, the Chiefs also had to cut one member of the 53 onto waivers. That player, per the transaction log and KSHB 41 beat reporter Nick Jacobs, will be fellow wide receiver Jason Brownlee.
Brownlee was always the logical cut once Rice returned. After all, he was originally added to the active roster after the news of Rice’s suspension.
Brownlee has been active for five of the Chiefs‘ six outings in 2025, but he hasn’t had much of an impact since training camp and the preseason.
The 26-year-old former UDFA of the New York Jets has logged 21 total snaps on offense and another 21 on special teams, but has not recorded a catch. He was targeted once by quarterback Patrick Mahomes.
Chiefs Choose to Activate Rashee Rice From the Suspension List Immediately, Hinting He Will Be Ready to Go in Week 7
Just before the news of Rice’s activation, Chiefs Digest beat reporter Matt Derrick went over KC’s options for this procedure.
“With WR Rashee Rice returning today from his six-game suspension, the Chiefs have a one-week roster exemption,” Derrick noted on Monday. “He won’t count against the 53-player roster until the team activates him. That means they also don’t need to make a move until Saturday for him to play vs. [the Las Vegas] Raiders.”
In other words, the Chiefs were allowed to wait until Saturday to reinstate Rice back onto the 53-man roster, but instead chose to do so immediately. This is a clear sign that Rice is ready to play in Week 7, and head coach Andy Reid hinted at that while addressing the media on October 13.
“Listen, I know he’s been working like crazy,” Reid said of Rice on Monday afternoon. “The rule states that we can’t work with him, but I know he’s been… I know he’s been working out hard.”
“I think it’s just a matter of getting him back in the swing [of things],” the Chiefs HC continued. Adding: “I know he’s in good shape, that’s the one thing I do know. I think that will be important.”
Reid went on to conclude that Rice “getting with Patrick [Mahomes]” will be equally important, and that getting them both “on the same page” will be the focus this week at practice.
“We’ll just see how all that works out,” he explained. “We haven’t put the game plan in yet.”
Chiefs Will Risk Losing WR Jason Brownlee on Waivers
The downside of putting Brownlee on the roster in the first place is that there was always a likelihood that he’d eventually be subjected to waivers when he was cut. Now, that day has come.
Brownlee is a talented 6-foot-3 pass-catcher in a league with plenty of wide receiver injuries. It would not be shocking if another NFL team claimed him off waivers this week.
With the Jets as a rookie, Brownlee caught 5 of his 8 targets for 56 yards and 1 touchdown. He made the Jets‘ 53-man roster as a rookie and has shown plenty of ability during his various preseason appearances in NY and KC.
Lions' Brian Branch suspension gives ailing Buccaneers massive Week 7 break
Detroit Lions safety Brian Branch's suspension is the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' gain.
On Monday, the league announced it had suspended Branch one game for a postgame altercation with Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster following a 30-17 road loss.
Following a final kneel down from Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes, Branch threw a punch at Smith-Schuster, sparking a wild scene.
When levying the punishment, NFL vice president of football operations Jon Runyan wrote, "Your aggressive, non-football act was entirely unwarranted, posed a serious risk of injury and clearly violated the standards of conduct and sportsmanship expected of NFL players."
NFL Vice President of Football Operations Jon Runyan: “Your aggressive, non-football act was entirely unwarranted, posed a serious risk of injury, and clearly violated the standards of conduct and sportsmanship expected of NFL players. Your conduct reflected poorly on the NFL and…
https://t.co/HBLmSmuRib — Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) October 13, 2025
Per ESPN, Branch will appeal the ruling. But without a Hail Mary, the third-year pro will likely miss a pivotal NFC game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, led by whom some, including ESPN NFL analyst Rex Ryan, have labeled the season's MVP, quarterback Baker Mayfield.
Brian Branch's suspension a blessing for ailing Tampa Bay Buccaneers offense
Even with the NFC's best record, the Buccaneers (5-1) are dealing with a slew of injuries on offense. Veteran wide receivers Mike Evans (hamstring) and Chris Godwin (fibula) missed Sunday's win against the 49ers, while rookie wideout Emeka Egbuka played 28 snaps before suffering a hamstring injury, raising concern about his Week 7 status.
On Monday, Buccaneers head coach Todd Bowles revealed that Godwin, along with standout second-year running back Bucky Irving (foot, shoulder), will likely miss "Monday Night Football" against the Lions, while Evans has a pathway to playing. With Tampa not 100 percent on offense, its chances of moving to 6-1 against one of the conference's best will greatly improve with Branch suspended.
Per NFL Pro data, Branch, a 2023 second-round pick coming off his first Pro Bowl nod, ranks No. 13 among 185 qualified defensive backs in hawk rate, defined as the percentage of pass targets a defender records a pass breakup or interception, at 31.3 percent.
He's first on the Lions in passes defended (five) and second in solo tackles (23), establishing himself as one of Detroit's most important defenders. With Tampa Bay down so many integral members of its offense, the Lions could have had a clear advantage in the secondary. But Branch's suspension levels the playing field.
Eric Smithling
Eric Smithling is a writer based in New Orleans, LA, whose byline also appears on Athlon Sports. He has been with Yardbarker since September 2022, primarily covering the NFL and college football, but also the NBA, WNBA, men’s and women’s college basketball, NHL, tennis and golf. He holds a film studies degree from the University of New Orleans
