Patrick Mahomes accidentally throws Rashee Rice to equalize after interception; Chiefs wide receiver is out for the game

Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Rashee Rice was carted off the field with a leg injury on Sunday against the Los Angeles Chargers, and Patrick Mahomes appeared to deliver the blow.

Mahomes threw an interception to Chargers cornerback Kristian Fulton. As the cornerback returned the ball down the field, the ball was taken away from him and he was later thrown out of bounds. But on the play, Mahomes leaned his shoulder toward Fulton’s lower half. Mahomes completely missed Fulton and instead hit Rice’s right knee.

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Los Angeles Chargers cornerback Kristian Fulton, left, fumbles the ball out of bounds after intercepting a pass as Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Rashee Rice (4) during the first half of an NFL football game, April 29. Defended in Inglewood in September 2024. Calif. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)

Rice cautiously walked to the bench but barely moved from there. A cart came to the sideline and Rice was carried to the back of the cart and lay down as he was carried off the field.

The team said Rice’s return was questionable, but was later downgraded to out.

Two turnovers quickly caused problems for the Chiefs.

TYLER BADIE of the BRONCOS collapses on the sidelines, is placed on the backboard and thrown off the field

Los Angeles Chargers cornerback Kristian Fulton (7) intercepts a pass intended for Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce (87) during the first half of an NFL football game on September 29, 2024 in Inglewood, California , was determined. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)

A Carson Steele fumble led to a Justin Herbert touchdown drive that ended with a touchdown pass to Ladd McConkey. Then, after the interception, the Chargers kicked a field goal. They had a 10-0 lead with 3:53 left in the first quarter.

But losing Rice would be a major blow to the offense. He was by far the most targeted receiver on the Chiefs’ offense. With Travis Kelce off to a slow start, the Chiefs will need to develop a next-man-up mentality to come back against the Chargers.

Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes warms up before the start of an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Chargers on September 29, 2024 in Inglewood, California. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)

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Heading into Week 4 play, Rice had 24 catches on 29 targets for 288 yards and two touchdowns.

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