Reporter shares major update in Rashee Rice assault investigation

Nov 26, 2023; Paradise, Nevada, USA; Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Rashee Rice (4) celebrates after scoring a touchdown against the Las Vegas Raiders during the fourth quarter at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports

Rashee Rice has faced a ton of legal trouble this offseason, but the Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver may soon be off the hook in one of the cases.

Rice was accused of hitting a photographer outside a nightclub in Dallas, Texas, two weeks ago. The photographer told police that he had left the club when Rice sent the alleged victim a message indicating Rice wanted to hire the man. When the photographer got back to the club, he says Rice handed him a phone to look at something and that Rice then punched the man in the left side of the face.

According to Tom Pelissero of NFL Network, the photographer no longer wants to press charges. Pelissero reported on Tuesday that the man recently asked Dallas police to drop the charges and called the situation a “misunderstanding.”

“The photographer recently dropped those charges. He gave an affidavit to the Dallas Police Department saying it was a misunderstanding (and he) wants the charges dropped,” Pelissero said. “We still have the things related to the auto incident that is going to have to play out for Rashee Rice and on top of that NFL discipline.”

Police are still investigating the alleged incident, but it is less likely that Rice will be charged if the photographer does not want to pursue the case.

That development may have something to do with why Rice reported in-person to OTAs with the Chiefs on Monday.

Rice, of course, is still facing eight felony charges over his alleged role in a multi-vehicle car accident that took place in March. Rice was allegedly racing another car down the freeway at a high rate of speed and lost control of his vehicle, causing a crash that resulted in multiple injuries (see the video here). Rice and several others fled the scene.

The 24-year-old Rice is also facing multiple civil lawsuits related to the crash. The Chiefs are said to be bracing for a significant suspension for their wide receiver.