Chiefs' Mecole Hardman: Logs another limited session
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Hardman (knee) was a limited participant in Wednesday's practice.
The 2019 second-round pick from Georgia was designated to return from injured reserve Jan. 1 and has now opened the Chiefs' week of practice with back-to-back limited sessions. Hardman's practice participation Thursday will likely offer the best indication of whether he can return for Saturday's divisional-round matchup against the Texans. However, Hardman must still be added to the Chiefs' active roster in order to suit up Saturday, regardless of his practice status Thursday.
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Chiefs' Mecole Hardman: Remains limited in practice
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Hardman (knee), who is on injured reserve, was a limited practice participant Tuesday.
Hardman had his practice window opened Jan. 1 and was deemed a limited practice participant throughout Week 18 prep. He wasn't activated ahead of that week's game against Denver and had an extra stretch of rest with the Chiefs holding a first-round playoff bye. Hardman has been on injured reserve since hurting his knee during a practice session in early December.
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Chiefs' Mecole Hardman: Won't return Sunday
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Hardman (knee) has been ruled out ahead of Sunday's matchup against the Broncos.
Hardman was designated to return from injured reserve Wednesday and logged a week of limited practice sessions, but it appears he's not ready to return to game action just yet. The Georgia product's absence in Week 18 could also be precautionary, as Kansas City is resting most of its starters after securing the AFC's No. 1 seed. Hardman's next opportunity to take the field will come in the divisional round of the NFL playoffs.
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Chiefs' Mecole Hardman: Gets green light to practice
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Kansas City designated Hardman (knee) for return from its injured reserve list Wednesday, Matt McMullen of the Chiefs' official site reports.
Hardman has missed the Chiefs' last four games due to a lingering knee issue, but it now looks like he's on track to suit up again soon. However, with rookie first-rounder Xavier Worthy having taken over as Kansas City's top speed threat, it's not totally clear what kind of role awaits Hardman when that happens.
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Chiefs' Mecole Hardman: Goes to IR
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Hardman (knee) was placed on injured reserve Saturday.
Hardman suffered the knee injury during Friday's practice. There hasn't been any reports suggesting this could be a season-ending injury as of yet, but the Chiefs will be without their top return man until at minimum Week 18, if not longer.
Hardman didn't practice Friday due to a knee injury, Pete Sweeney of Arrowhead Pride reports.
Hardman's knee "locked up on him," per coach Andy Reid. The return man and depth wide receiver likely will carry an injury designation when the Chiefs release their injury report later Friday ahead of Sunday night's game against the Chargers.
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Chiefs' Mecole Hardman: Ready for Week 10
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Hardman (shoulder/knee) doesn't carry an injury designation for Sunday's game against the Broncos after practicing fully Friday.
Hardman was limited both Wednesday and Thursday, but he's been cleared for Week 10 action after Friday's full session. With DeAndre Hopkins, Xavier Worthy and Justin Watson also in the Chiefs' wideout mix, Hardman carries limited fantasy lineup upside ahead of Sunday's contest.
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Chiefs' Mecole Hardman: Remains limited Thursday
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Hardman (shoulder/knee) remained limited in Thursday's practice.
Hardman was injured in the Chiefs' Week 9 win over the Bucs last Monday night, but he was able to return after getting examined in the locker room. Hardman has been serving as the Chiefs' No. 4 receiver in recent games with JuJu Smith-Schuster (hamstring) still working his way back from injury.
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Chiefs' Mecole Hardman: Dealing with injuries
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Hardman (shoulder/knee) was a limited participant in Wednesday's practice.
Hardman exited the Chiefs' Week 9 win over the Buccaneers with a shoulder injury before later returning. It also appears that the Georgia product now is dealing with a knee issue, likely sustained Monday night. Hardman's practice participation Thursday and Friday will be the best indication of whether he can suit up for Sunday's matchup against the Broncos.
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Chiefs' Mecole Hardman: Back in Monday night
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Hardman (shoulder) has returned to Monday night's game against the Buccaneers, Matt Derrick of ChiefsDigest.com reports.
The punt and kick returner injured his shoulder in the first quarter on a punt return. Hardman did not record a catch before exiting. The sixth-year pro has just six catches for 58 yards on the year.
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Chiefs' Mecole Hardman: Questionable to return Monday night
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Hardman (shoulder) is questionable to return to Monday's game against the Buccaneers.
The punt and kick returner was injured on a 30-yard punt return in the first quarter. Hardman did not record a catch before exiting. Carson Steele and Xavier Worthy are next in line to handle kickoff- and punt-return duties, respectively.
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Chiefs' Mecole Hardman: Quiet effort versus Raiders
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Hardman caught his only target for eight yards during Sunday's 27-20 win versus the Raiders.
Hardman finished the day fourth among wide receivers in snap share (29 percent), but that number could continue to shrink as veteran DeAndre Hopkins familiarizes himself with the Chiefs' playbook after the team acquired him last week. Hardman has posted no more than four catches for 33 yards in a game so far this season, and there's little reason to anticipate a significant uptick in production from him moving forward.
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Chiefs' Mecole Hardman: Targeted twice versus Niners
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Hardman logged one reception (on two targets) for 17 yards during Sunday's 28-18 win against the 49ers.
Hardman checked in fourth on the team in offensive snaps Sunday, but he saw a significant bump in his usage this week after JuJu Smith-Schuster left the game early due to a hamstring aggravation. The Chiefs continue to see wide receiver injuries pile up and could be a candidate to add an extra wideout prior to the NFL's Nov. 5 trade deadline. However, Hardman could claim added reps in the short term if Smith-Schuster misses additional time.
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Chiefs' Mecole Hardman: Makes most of limited snaps
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Hardman hauled in all four targets for 33 yards during Monday's 26-13 victory versus New Orleans.
Hardman managed to nab four passes on his four targets while tallying only eight offensive snaps on the night. While it's a positive sign that Hardman was targeted on half of the snaps he logged, it also doesn't leave much room for growth. That said, Hardman's play could earn him more run if he proves to be a reliable weapon for a Chiefs offense likely down its expected two starters in Rashee Rice (knee) and Hollywood Brown (shoulder) for the remainder of the regular season, at a minimum.
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Chiefs' Mecole Hardman: Ready to go for MNF
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Hardman (knee) is active for Monday's contest against the Saints.
Hardman will be able to go after popping up on the injury report Thursday with a knee issue. With Rashee Rice (knee) out for the foreseeable future, Hardman will look to carve out an offensive role for himself moving forward. To this point in the season, the wide receiver has yet to garner a target while playing 12 offensive snaps.
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Chiefs' Mecole Hardman: Questionable for Week 5
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Hardman (knee) was a full participant in Saturday's practice but is listed as questionable for Monday's game against the Saints, Sam McDowell of The Kansas City Star reports.
Hardman was listed as a DNP on Friday's injury report due to a knee injury, but his ability to practice without restriction Saturday indicates that he's on the probable side of playing Sunday. Hardman hasn't recorded a target through the first four games of the regular season and has been limited to kick and punt return duties.
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Chiefs' Mecole Hardman: Works in return game Week 1
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Hardman returned one kickoff for 29 yards in the Chiefs' 27-20 win over the Ravens on Thursday night.
Hardman didn't play at all on offense, but he returned one kickoff and two punts (both fair catches). Barring injuries on the wide receiver depth chart, Hardman lacks a clear path to offensive playing time. He'll look to make a splash in the return game Week 2 versus the Bengals.
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Chiefs' Mecole Hardman: One catch in preseason finale
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Hardman brought in his only target for six yards in the Chiefs' 34-21 preseason loss to the Bears on Thursday night.
The Super Bowl hero played a minor role in the exhibition finale, and it remains to be seen if there will be room for Hardman on the Chiefs' initial 53-man roster. Hardman could be no better than the No. 7 receiver on the depth chart as it currently stands, even when factoring in Marquise Brown's shoulder injury. Hardman also offers value as a returner, but there are other candidates with similar skill sets in Kansas City's deep wideout room.
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Chiefs' Mecole Hardman: Re-signs with Kansas City
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Hardman is re-signing with the Chiefs on a one-year contract, Dianna Russini of The Athletic reports.
Hardman left Kansas City for the Jets last offseason but then was traded back to the Chiefs in mid-October after failing to earn a major role in New York. He had a 52-yard reception and a game-ending touchdown in the Super Bowl against San Francisco, making the most of his 19 snaps on offense. Hardman figures to work as a depth receiver again in 2024, and he might also get a chance to returns punts and/or kicks.
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Chiefs' Mecole Hardman: Comes through with clutch touchdown
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Hardman recorded three receptions (on three targets) for 57 yards in Sunday's 25-22 overtime win over the 49ers in Super Bowl LVIII.
Hardman was acquired by the Chiefs at the trade deadline but was sidelined by a thumb injury for most of the remaining games in the regular season. He also played a minimal role in the playoffs, including the AFC Championship Game, when he was on the field for only one offensive snap. However, Hardman came through on the biggest stage, catching a three-yard touchdown in overtime to deliver a walk-off Super Bowl win for the Chiefs. He also tallied a 52-yard catch early in the second quarter, accounting for the team's longest play from scrimmage. Hardman will hit free agency this offseason, and he'll likely find a short-term deal as a depth pass-catching option.
