Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid recently delivered an unfortunate injury update on wide receiver Mecole Hardman. A second-round pick in the 2019 NFL Draft, the Georgia product began his career as a specialized deep threat, hauling in 26 receptions for 538 yards and six touchdowns on 41 targets. He continued to grow in the offense, peaking in 2021 when he recorded 59 receptions for 693 yards and two touchdowns while helping the team make the AFC Championship Game. From there, however, his role in the offense decreased but he maintained his role on special teams.
After leaving for a brief stint with the New York Jets, Hardman re-joined the Chiefs midway through the 2023 season and caught the game-winning pass in Super Bowl LVI. Signed to a cheap one-year deal, Hardman remained a key part of the special teams unit, but he might not suit up for a crucial matchup against the Los Angeles Chargers. Speaking to reporters on Friday, Reid said that the medical staff is evaluating Hardman to see if he can play in Week 14.
“Alright, as far as the injuries go, Mecole Hardman is the only one. His knee locked up on him, and so we’re evaluating it right now. This was after our meeting, right before we got on the field. So, we’ll just see where he’s at with that.”
Mecole Hardman Injury Update: Receiver Could Miss Week 14
Mecole Hardman is not the second coming of Devin Hester, but this injury will adversely affect the special teams unit. So far on the season, the wide receiver has returned 20 runs for 203 yards and his 10.2 yards per return is his best mark since the 2021 season. He also helps out on the kick return team, bringing back five kicks for 132 yards (26.4 yards per return). Hardman is the only player to return a punt for Kansas City this year, but first-round rookie Xavier Worthy will likely handle return duties if Hardman cannot play.
While Hardman’s absence will impact special teams, it shouldn’t affect the offense’s ability to move the ball downfield. Despite injuries to key players like Marquise Brown and Rashee Rice, the Chiefs have not incorporated Hardman into the passing game. Through 12 games, the wide receiver has recorded just 12 receptions for 90 yards and no touchdowns. Most of his touches have come on gadget plays, so perhaps the speedy but untested Worthy received one or two more looks in this contest.
Playoff Implications
Despite having a pristine 11-1 record, Week 14’s against the Los Angeles Chargers is something of a must-win game. As of this posting, Kansas City has the top seed in the playoffs and is in the driver’s seat for the conference’s lone bye week. However, they’re only one game ahead of the 10-2 Buffalo Bills, who own the head-to-head tiebreaker thanks to their Week 13 win. Having a bye week is crucial in the postseason, and losing to the Chargers means Kansas City will probably have to play in the Wild Card round.
This isn’t to say the Chiefs can’t win four straight January games and hoist the Lombardi Trophy. After all, that’s exactly what they did last year. However, the cleanest path to the Super Bowl is through the one seed, and the Mecole Hardman injury could indirectly lead to the team missing their shot at homefield advantage throughout the playoffs.
Main Photo: Bob Donnan – USA Today Sports
