KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The NFL declared Friday that it had concluded its internal inquiry into Chiefs wide receiver Rashee Rice, asserting that he “has not engaged in conduct that violates the personal conduct policy.” The league also confirmed the closure of its investigation into the allegations made by Dacoda Jones, Rice’s ex-partner.
Currently, Rice, aged 25, will not face disciplinary action from the league. The NFL determined that “there was insufficient evidence to support a finding that he violated the personal conduct policy.”
“Mr. Rice wishes to express his gratitude to the NFL for their comprehensive investigation, and eagerly anticipates the commencement of the 2026-27 NFL season,” stated Sean Lindsey, Rice’s legal counsel, in a press release.
The Chiefs offered no comment regarding the NFL’s ruling on Friday.
In early January, Jones shared images on her Instagram account depicting contusions and injuries across various parts of her body, claiming abuse over a span of many years. While Jones did not identify Rice or anyone else in her post, she stated that the individual who mistreated her is the father of her offspring. Jones shares two children with Rice.
Within the subsequently removed Instagram post, Jones penned: “I’m so weary of remaining silent I’m so weary of safeguarding his reputation. I’ve endured too much over an eight-year period, and I’ve had ENOUGH!” She mentioned her separation from Rice in 2025, adding “and since then it’s been nothing but hell
Jones also initiated legal proceedings in Texas in February, asserting that Rice repeatedly assaulted her during an eighteen-month period from 2023 to 2025. She revealed she was pregnant during many of the claimed attacks. She is seeking compensation exceeding $1 million. Jones further alleges that Rice choked her in December 2023.
“Rice has seized, throttled, strangled, shoved, hurled, abraded, struck, and headbutted Ms. Jones, as well as struck her with non-living items,” the legal complaint states.
Responding to the lawsuit, Lindsey issued a declaration: “On October 9th, 2025, long after the parties’ association had concluded, Ms. Jones attested under penalty of perjury in a sworn Affidavit for Non-Prosecution that ‘Mr. Rice and I had a verbal argument, but he did not punch me.’ We intend to allow the judicial process to unfold naturally.”
Subsequent to Jones’ allegations, the NFL carried out its inquiry.
In March 2024, Rice was the operator of a Lamborghini Urus SUV traveling at 119 mph on Dallas’ North Central Expressway, which resulted in a multicar collision that left numerous individuals injured. Theodore Knox, a former teammate of Rice’s from SMU, was driving a black Corvette. Rice, Knox, and their three companions failed to assist those injured, instead escaping on foot before law enforcement personnel arrived. The incident was also captured on video.
Within a fortnight, Rice accepted complete accountability and expressed remorse in a statement he released prior to surrendering at the Glenn Heights Police Department after an apprehension warrant was published. In July, Rice received a penalty of 30 days in jail and five years of supervised release for his involvement in the collision. He admitted culpability in district court to two third-degree felony charges – collision involving serious bodily injury and racing on a highway causing bodily injury. He was granted deferred adjudication; the case will be dropped if he fulfills the probation terms.
The event prompted the NFL to ban Rice for six games last season for contravening the league’s personal conduct policy.
In August 2025, Knox admitted fault for collision involving serious bodily injury and racing on a highway causing bodily injury and was sentenced to 30 days in jail and five years of supervised release. Last month, a Texas court rendered a default judgment of more than $2.8 million against Knox. Rice’s case is slated for a court hearing on June 9.
ESPN’s Adam Schefter assisted with this report.