Chiefs head coach Andy Reid said Wednesday that Hardman (knee) will not be activated from injured reserve, ruling him out for a return during the playoffs, Adam Teicher of ESPN.com reports.
Hardman's 21-day practice window thus comes to a close without him being activated in advance of Sunday's AFC Championship Game against the Bills, or a potential Super Bowl appearance should Kansas City advance past Buffalo. He appeared in 12 games with the Chiefs during the regular season, securing 12 of 14 targets for 90 yards, rushing five times for 62 yards and a score and playing a key role in the return game. Hardman is set to become an unrestricted free agent this offseason.
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Chiefs' Mecole Hardman: Uncertain for Sunday's game
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Chiefs head coach Andy Reid said "we'll see how that goes" when asked Monday about Hardman (knee) coming off IR in time for Sunday's AFC Championship Game against the Bills, Charles Goldman of AtoZSports.com reports.
"I haven't made any decisions on that yet," Reid said. "[Hardman has] worked hard to try and get himself back." The return specialist and depth wideout had his 21-day practice window opened Jan. 1, but he's yet to upgrade beyond limited on-field activity. If Kansas City doesn't activate Hardman before his practice window closes, he will have to remain on IR for the rest of the playoffs, including if the Chiefs advance beyond Sunday's home AFC Championship Game against Buffalo.
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Chiefs' Mecole Hardman: Won't return in divisional round
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Hardman (knee), who remains on injured reserve, has been ruled out for Saturday's divisional-round contest against the Texans.
The Chiefs designated Hardman for return from injured reserve on Jan. 1, but the wide receiver has yet to progress beyond a limited listing on six ensuing Chiefs injury reports. His window in which to get back on the active roster for the first time since Week 13 also is quickly coming to a close. First, though, Kansas City will need to emerge victorious Saturday in order for Hardman to have a chance to play again this season.
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Chiefs' Mecole Hardman: Unlikely to face Houston
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Hardman (knee) is listed as doubtful for Saturday's AFC divisional-round game against the Texans.
Hardman was placed on injured reserve Dec. 7 due to a knee injury, and it doesn't appear likely that he will be activated from IR ahead of Saturday's playoff bout. If the Chiefs beat the Texans, then Hardman would have an opportunity to be activated from IR for the AFC Championship Game.
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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: 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: 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.
