The NFL has officially closed its investigation into domestic violence allegations against Rashee Rice, ending months of uncertainty around one of the Kansas City Chiefs’ most important offensive players.
On Friday, the league announced Rice will not face discipline, saying there was not enough evidence to determine he violated the NFL’s personal conduct policy. The decision clears the Chiefs receiver to enter training camp without suspension and puts him in line to open the 2026 season as Kansas City’s top target.
“There was insufficient evidence to support a finding that he violated the personal conduct policy,” NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy said.
The investigation stemmed from allegations made earlier this year by Rice’s former girlfriend, Dacoda Jones. In January, Jones posted photos on Instagram showing bruises and scratches, while accusing Rice of years of abuse. The post was later deleted, but not before it sparked concern around the league and placed Rice’s future in question.
The following month, Jones filed a civil lawsuit in Dallas County seeking more than $1 million in damages. According to the lawsuit, Rice assaulted her multiple times between December 2023 and July 2025. The filing alleges Rice choked, scratched, strangled, headbutted and threw objects at Jones during a series of incidents, including while she was pregnant.
Jones wrote in her January post, “I’m so tired of keeping quiet. I’m so tired of protecting his image. I’ve been through too much in a span of eight years, and I’ve had ENOUGH!”
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Rashee Rice Civil Case Still Looms Despite NFL Decision
While the NFL has closed its investigation, Rice’s legal issues are not over.
The civil lawsuit remains active in Texas, and Rice will still have to answer those allegations in court. His attorney, Sean Lindsey, has consistently denied the claims and pointed to an affidavit Jones signed in October 2025. In that statement, filed under penalty of perjury, Jones said Rice did not punch her during an argument.
“Mr. Rice and I had a verbal argument, but he did not punch me,” Jones wrote in the affidavit, according to Lindsey.
Lindsey praised the NFL’s ruling Friday.
“Mr. Rice wants to thank the NFL for its thorough investigation and looks forward to the start of the 2026-27 NFL season,” he said.
The decision is especially important because Rice was already facing scrutiny from the league. He served a six-game suspension in 2025 after pleading guilty to felony charges tied to a 119-mph hit-and-run crash in Dallas in 2024. Another violation of the personal conduct policy could have brought a much longer suspension.
Instead, Rice is back in the clear. In eight games last season, he recorded 53 catches, 571 yards and five touchdowns. Now, barring any new evidence, he is expected to return as the Chiefs’ No. 1 receiver when the 2026-27 season begins.
