Ray Rice is currently seeking to be reinstated into the NFL after Roger Goodell suspended the running back indefinitely back in September after he violated the league's conduct policy following a video of him hitting his then-fiancee. Rice is undergoing a hearing in New York City in hopes of getting his NFL career back on track. If reinstated, there has been mixed opinions as to whether a team would take a chance on bringing the running back onto their roster.
Bleacher Report's Mike Freeman reports that most NFL scouts believe that Rice will have a very tough time getting a team interested in him should he be reinstated back into the NFL. It could easily be just a matter of weeks before Rice is available to play, but scouts say it is very doubtful the running back steps foot in another locker room. Freeman believes that the only way a team signs Rice is if they are desperate and the "idiot in the room."
A team sitting in the thick of the playoff race might glance Rice's way. Injuries would have to seriously strike the roster for the running back to get a look. Someone like the Cincinnati Bengals who are dealing with injuries to both their starters or the San Diego Chargers who are also dealing with injuries could take Rice, but again the chances are slim. Rice could end up sitting out the year and then hope that a team signs him in free agency. That might only happen if a team strikes out in the NFL Draft and other free agency options.
One thing is certain, no one will give Rice the current contract he was working off of with the Baltimore Ravens. The running back market is already very week. Last season, players coming off season-high years were only able to score year-long deals. Knowshon Moreno and LeGarrette Blount could only manage one-year, low-paying contracts despite career-high numbers. Things will be even weaker with Rice considering most teams might not want the attention that comes with bringing him on.
Rice has to hope for desperation. There is a 50-50 chance he returns to the NFL. Some speculate the appeal could take some time to sort through. Considering Rice will also be battling with Adrian Peterson, things are shaky at best.
