After weeks away from the field, Rashee Rice’s determined return has the Chiefs-and Coach Andy Reid-buzzing ahead of a pivotal divisional matchup.

IMAGE: Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid against the Arizona Cardinals during a preseason NFL game at State Farm Stadium. / Mark J. Rebilas / Imagn ImagesThe Kansas City Chiefs are getting a significant boost to their receiving corps this week, as wideout Rashee Rice returns from suspension and rejoins the team just in time for a divisional showdown with the Raiders. Head coach Andy Reid confirmed Rice is back in the building and praised the second-year receiver’s commitment during his time away.Because of NFL rules, the Chiefs weren’t allowed to have direct contact or work with Rice during his suspension. But according to Reid, that didn’t stop the young wideout from putting in serious effort on his own time.

“I know he’s been working like crazy,” Reid said. “We couldn’t work with him, but he’s been staying in shape and doing everything he can to be ready.”

That individual prep could go a long way toward helping Rice slot back into his role as one of Patrick Mahomes’ go-to options. Reid didn’t make any guarantees about how many snaps Rice would see on Sunday or how quickly he’ll be reintegrated into the offensive rhythm, but he emphasized the importance of reconnecting Rice and Mahomes as quickly as possible.

“I think it’ll be important getting him back in there, getting him with Patrick, getting them on the same page,” Reid said. “We’ll see how all that works out.”

The timing couldn’t be better for Kansas City. After a somewhat uneven start to their campaign, the Chiefs looked every bit like Super Bowl contenders again in their statement win over the Lions last Sunday night. With momentum finally tipping their way, the return of a dynamic talent like Rice adds another element to an offense that appears to be gaining steam.

And while the full game plan for Sunday’s matchup against the Raiders is still being finalized, expectations are high. The Chiefs are favored by 12.5 points heading into their AFC West clash, and they’ve reestablished themselves as the division’s team to beat.

Now, with Rice back in the mix and Mahomes regaining full command of the offense, Kansas City’s passing attack could be preparing to level up once again. Rice showed flashes of big-time potential last season, using his size, route-running, and after-the-catch ability to carve out a growing role in Andy Reid’s system. If his conditioning checks out and he and Mahomes can lock in quickly, that connection could become a true difference-maker down the stretch.

Kansas City doesn’t need to rush Rice into an every-down role, but make no mistake – his return isn’t just about adding another name to the depth chart. It’s about giving Mahomes another trusted target and restoring one more layer of complexity to a passing game that, when firing on all cylinders, is near-impossible to stop.

The Chiefs are already trending upward. Getting Rashee Rice back might just be the next spark they need to keep rolling.