The Kansas City Chiefs’ offense is getting back a familiar face, as Rashee Rice is scheduled to make his long-awaited 2025 debut on Sunday afternoon after serving a six-game suspension.
The Chiefs’ wide receivers held their own for the first six weeks of the season without Rice. Hollywood Brown has looked like the guy he was in Baltimore, while Juju Smith-Schuster stepped up and filled in as the possession wide receiver.
We also saw the emergence of Tyquan Thornton, who went from an afterthought on the practice squad to an instant contributor and go-to target for Patrick Mahomes. However, with Rice back in the fold, Chiefs special teams coordinator Dave Toub said in so many words that Thornton will have to play special teams.
“There’s a chance we could have seven receivers up. Five, six, and seven have to play special teams, or you’re wasting spots. Thornton could help with that, as you guys understand,” Toub said on Thursday via Charles Goldman of AtoZ Sports.
Tyquan Thornton Could Play More Special Teams with Rashee Rice’s Return
If we go off Toub’s comments, the top four wide receivers for Sunday’s game and going forward will be Xavier Worthy, Rashee Rice, Brown, and Smith-Schuster. None of those guys are playing teams, leaving Thornton, Nikko Remigio, and rookie Jalen Royals for that role.
Before the regular season began, the Chiefs’ special teams coordinator told reporters that he could see Thornton as a return specialist, along with rookie Brashard Smith. Through the first six games of the season, however, the Chiefs’ main return specialists have been Remigio and Smith with the 25-year-old receiver returning one kickoff for 28 yards this season.
It’s not a huge sample size, but if the Chiefs are looking to utilize Thornton’s speed more, the kick return game is the perfect avenue for it.
In addition to helping out as a return specialist, the Chiefs also had Thornton working out as a gunner during mandatory minicamp this summer. Those summer reps and experience could help out the young wide receiver as he embarks on a new role on the Chiefs.
Even though Thornton will likely play more on special teams, the Chiefs will still need to play him some on offense. The 25-year-old wideout has exceeded all expectations and proven he can be a contributor at the NFL level.
