Former Baltimore Ravens running back Ray Rice was reinstated by the NFL earlier this week and is reportedly drawing the interest of at last four teams currently, ESPN reports. Despite earlier reports to the contrary, the Indianapolis Colts are among the four teams that also includes the New Orleans Saints that are pursuing the running back.
ESPN sources declined to reveal the identity of the other two teams with interest in adding Rice.
However, a Rice signing is still not a guarantee despite the apparent interest in the former star.
"It still will be difficult for Rice to find work this season," ESPN's Adam Schefter wrote. "He turns 28 in January, is coming off a down season and hasn't played football since training camp. But Rice signing this season is not out of the question, either, if the right team should emerge."
Schefter goes on to explain that a very specific environment is needed for a team to capably bring Rice into the fold. Due to the negative publicity such a move would bring, Schefter believes a suitable landing spot would need to be a contender with a strong-minded coach, quality locker room and an obvious need for a running back.
It is believed that Rice has stayed in football shape during his suspension. Even though he has produced at high levels in the past, immediate success would be difficult should he return this season.
"Some guys learn faster than others. They just do," an AFC running backs coach told ESPN's Josina Anderson. "I don't know what kind of shape he's in. There are a bunch of different things. He's going to have to get into shape, clearly because he hasn't been hitting this year. You would think there would be some carryover ... but he is a good player. He is a good player."
The more difficult question is how Rice would fit into a team's culture off the field after his domestic violence incident.
"I don't know on that one," the coach told Anderson. "It's a different thing. It was so violent, such a volatile conversation earlier, I don't know what guys in the locker room would think about this. I really don't. We don't interact with them like that. I'm not in those conversations with them about how they feel about issues like that. I don't know, I'd be speaking out of turn probably on that one."
Rice is apparently willing to wait for the right combination of team, culture and opportunity to present itself before officially signing with a team.
