The assault charges against Chiefs wide receiver Rashee Rice have been dropped.
The photographer who claimed Rice assaulted him outside a Dallas nightclub early this month asked police to drop the charges and said in an affidavit that there was a misunderstanding between him and Rice at the time of the incident, according to NFL Network's Tom Pelissero.
This is a major development in Rice's ongoing offseason of dysfunction. Rice already faced charges for his role in a multi-car accident in Dallas in April. Then, police investigated Rice again after allegations of assault surfaced in May.
"There was also a recent accusation by a photographer about him assaulting the photographer on his way out of the club," Pelissero said Tuesday morning. "I can actually tell you the photographer recently dropped those charges. He gave an affidavit to the Dallas police department saying it was a misunderstanding and wants the charges dropped.
"You still have things related to the auto incident that is going to have to play out here for Rashee Rice. Then on top of that, NFL discipline. But at least for now, back with the Chiefs."
NFL insider Josina Anderson reported Wednesday that Rice's camp "is in possession of an affidavit from the complainant stating that the events of said evening was a 'misunderstanding,' and also includes the complainant’s acknowledgment that said document 'will result in this offense being cleared.'" While Rice's camp believes the investigation is over, police haven't interviewed Rice yet and have continued to say the investigation remains open, per Anderson.
Despite the likelihood of a "multi-game suspension" from the NFL following the car crash case, Rice will attend the Chiefs' organized team activities (OTAs) this offseason. It will be the first time Rice will play with his teammates since both off-field incidents.
What comes next for Rice will be on the NFL and the courts. Neither the Chiefs nor the league have publicly commented about Rice's status as the ongoing legal case into the car accident continues. Chiefs owner Clark Hunt said in late April that he was "very disappointed with the situation with Rashee and how that's unfolded" but remained steadfast in Rice's position with the team. Reid and Mahomes also refused to comment considering the ongoing legal process. NFL commissioner Roger Goodell also said the league will continue to monitor as Rice's case goes through the legal system.
Rice will join — at some point this year — a reloaded Chiefs pass-catching group that now includes Marquise Brown and Xavier Worthy on top of tight end Travis Kelce. Brown is a veteran and former first-rounder who played for the Ravens and Cardinals, while the Chiefs traded up to draft Worthy in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft. Worthy broke the NFL Combine 40-yard dash record this year.