Chiefs Move McDuffie, Rice, Others to IR, Effectively Ending Their 2025 Seasons
The 2025 NFL season has been a grueling campaign for the Kansas City Chiefs, a year defined as much by the names on the medical report as the ones in the box score. As the regular season winds down, the organization has made the difficult decision to shut down several key contributors, signaling a shift in focus toward recovery and the future.
On Wednesday, the Chiefs officially placed cornerback Trent McDuffie, wide receivers Rashee Rice and Tyquan Thornton and cornerback Jaylen Watson on Injured Reserve. With only two games remaining on the schedule, this move effectively ends the 2025 campaign for all four players. In corresponding roster adjustments, the team signed defensive end Ethan Downs, cornerback Melvin Smith, and tight end Tyreke Smith from the practice squad to the active roster, while also activating cornerback Nazeeh Johnson from Reserve/Injured.
A Quiet End for Key Playmakers
The loss of Rashee Rice is particularly stinging for an offense that has struggled to find consistency. The 25-year-old receiver’s season concludes with 571 yards and five touchdowns over just eight games. Rice had been in concussion protocol following a hit during the Week 15 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers and was unable to suit up for the subsequent blowout loss to the Tennessee Titans.
For a young player looking to build momentum in his third year, having the season cut short is a frustrating development. However, the decision to prioritize his long-term health over a few meaningless snaps in late December is undoubtedly the prudent call by the Chiefs’ medical staff and front office.
Similarly, the defense loses a significant pillar in Trent McDuffie. The All-Pro cornerback has been sidelined since Week 14 with a nagging knee injury that simply hasn’t responded to treatment as hoped. McDuffie has established himself as one of the league’s premier defensive backs, and shutting him down ensures he doesn’t risk aggravating the injury further in games that hold little playoff implication. It is a smart, albeit disappointing, conclusion to a year where his presence was often the stabilizing force in the secondary.
Depth Tested as Season Concludes
The move to place Tyquan Thornton and Jaylen Watson on IR further depletes a roster that has been stretched thin by attrition. Watson, a key piece of the secondary rotation, and Thornton, who was brought in to stretch the field, will now turn their attention to rehabilitation and offseason preparation.
These transactions leave the Chiefs relying heavily on unproven talent to close out the year. The promotions of Ethan Downs, Melvin Smith, and Tyreke Smith offer a small silver lining: a legitimate opportunity for evaluation. For these practice squad players, the final two weeks represent a live audition for 2026 roster spots. In a season where the dynasty narrative took a hit, finding a hidden gem among these call-ups could provide a spark of optimism heading into the offseason.
The return of Nazeeh Johnson provides some reinforcement to a cornerback room that is suddenly missing two of its top options. Johnson will likely see significant snaps immediately, giving the coaching staff a clear look at his development after his own stint on injured reserve.
Looking Toward 2026
There is a palpable sense of resignation in these moves—an acknowledgment that 2025 was simply not Kansas City’s year. Injuries are an unfortunate reality of the NFL, but the sheer volume and timing of the Chiefs’ health issues this season have been overwhelming.
For a franchise accustomed to deep playoff runs and Super Bowl parades, playing out the string in December is unfamiliar territory. Yet, these roster decisions reflect a maturity in management. Rather than forcing injured stars back onto the field to salvage pride, the organization is protecting its investments. The focus has clearly shifted to getting healthy, evaluating depth, and resetting for a bounce-back campaign in 2026.
As the Chiefs prepare for their final two contests, the product on the field will look vastly different than the one fans envisioned in September. However, in the NFL, availability is often the most important ability. By shutting down Rice, McDuffie and others now, Kansas City is hoping to ensure that availability won’t be a question mark when training camp opens next summer. The 2025 chapter is closing on a somber note, but the page is already being turned toward the future.
