Overview

• The NFL has officially scheduled Rice’s disciplinary hearing for Sept. 30 in New York, marking the first formal step toward league action under its personal conduct policy.
• By pushing the hearing until after the first four regular-season games, Rice is likely to play against the Chargers in Brazil, the Eagles, Giants and Ravens before any punishment is imposed.
• Rice pleaded guilty to two third-degree felonies in July and received deferred adjudication—30 days in jail and five years’ probation—with his charges set to be dismissed upon probation completion.
• Sports media and league analysts project a four- to six-game suspension for Rice, though negotiations before or after the hearing could alter the final length or start date.
• The timing of Rice’s discipline is prompting the Chiefs to balance their wide receiver depth chart and game-planning strategy for a probable midseason absence.