Rashee Rice’s six-game ban makes decisions easier for owners

Uncertainty is a fantasy manager’s biggest enemy.

You don’t know how many snaps a specific player will get, if they are fully healthy after and injury, if they will be utilized in the offensive scheme.

Any one of these variables can create anxiety about projected production.

Throw in a possible suspension and it is just another worry marching in the doubt parade.

So any clarification on such matters is preferable to uncertainty entering the season.

Hence, it helps that, according to reports, we know what discipline Chiefs receiver Rashee Rice will face before the season — and hopefully before your draft.

Multiple sources Wednesday afternoon reported Rice will be forced to sit out the first six weeks of the season as a result of a guilty plea for racing on a highway and causing a crash with serious injuries.

Reports say the NFL initially was seeking an eight- or 10-game ban before the sides reached a six-game agreement. Previously, he was to have a hearing that wasn’t scheduled until Sept. 30 — the assumption being a ban would come at some point thereafter, which could have meant he would have been up in the weeks leading up to the fantasy playoffs.

Now we know. And knowing is good. He reportedly will be able to return in Week 7 against the Raiders.

It is better for fantasy managers that he miss time earlier in the season, allowing managers to draft accordingly to have a fill-in for that time.

In terms of production, when he does return, Rice is coming off an LCL injury that ended his season in Week 4 last year.

This will give him additional time to put that behind him. Plus, he has been dealing with a groin issue during training camp.

Having been off for so long, it should be expected that it will take him a few weeks to get up to speed.

He has seen his average draft position slide from the early sixth round to end of the seventh over the past month.

He could slide even more now that he is reportedly certain to miss six games.

Knowing the boost he could provide late in the year — once he is back, in game shape and has shaken off any rust — that is a nice value.

If, however, his ADP rises, we’ll let someone else take the risk.

After all, there still is plenty of uncertainty — the injury, the rust, the Chiefs offense in general being in decline the past few years.

But there is less guesswork now. And that is a good thing.