Ray Rice and Roger Goodell both testified in Rice's appeal hearing last week regarding his extended suspension. Former U.S. District Judge Barbara S. Jones is expected to announce a decision on Rice's NFL status some time this week. Sports Illustrated's Peter King believes Rice will be made eligible to return.
"I think Ray Rice wins his appeal," King wrote. "That doesn't mean he'll find a job.
"I haven't spoken to anyone who thinks the NFL will be able to keep Ray Rice suspended; it's a clear and elongated version of double jeopardy, and I presume judge Barbara Jones will rule thusly in about two weeks.
"But while it's tempting to think a thumb-their-nose-at-the-league team like New Orleans could take a shot at Rice in December if its backfield is beat up then, I hear nothing reliable about specific teams intending to try to sign him if the suspension is dropped."
Even if Rice is reinstated into the NFL, that does not mean he'll be able to see the field. The Baltimore Ravens released Rice after a second video detailing his domestic violence incident surfaced. A team will have to take a chance and sign him to a deal for Rice to play a single snap of football this season.
Two teams that have been floated as potential landing spots for Rice have been the New England Patriots and the Indianapolis Colts. Jason La Canfora of CBS Sports noted Bill Belichick's relationship with Rice's former Rutgers coach Greg Schiano and Rice's familiarity with Colts coach Chuck Pagano from their time in Baltimore as reasons why those teams might be comfortable making such a move.
Rice is a three-time Pro Bowler with more than 9,000 total yards and 43 career touchdowns. The 27-year-old could likely help a team's offense but the jarring video will undoubtedly scare several teams away.
