Mecole Hardman News

Hardman returned from his lingering groin injury during the AFC Championship Game, but he subsequently aggravated the issue and was ultimately sidelined for Kansas City's win over the Eagles in Super Bowl LVII. The looming free agent was limited to eight regular-season games with the Chiefs in 2022, in which he secured 25 of 34 targets for yards and four touchdowns. Hardman also had four carries for 31 yards and two scores and contributed in the return game.

The Kansas City Chiefs have placed wide receiver Mecole Hardman (pelvis) on the injured reserve ahead of their Super Bowl matchup with the Philadelphia Eagles. Hardman suffered a pelvis injury in Week 9 of the regular season, and while the former second-round pick was able to suit up for a handful of snaps in the team's AFC Championship win over the Cincinnati Bengals, he will unfortunately be forced to sit out the Super Bowl. The fourth-year wideout had been establishing himself as an electric element in the Chiefs' unique offense prior to his injury, and will hopefully return to the team in the offseason. Hardman caught 25 passes for 297 yards and 4 touchdowns in his 8 games this season, adding 4 rushes for 31 yards and 2 additional scores. The Chiefs found creative ways to utilize Hardman's speed in the red zone, which helped him put up highly efficient touchdown numbers despite his limited overall touches.

Hardman had been sidelined since Week 9 due to the pelvis injury before he returned to action in the AFC Championship Game against the Bengals. However, he aggravated the issue in the second half of the contest and was considered doubtful for Super Bowl LVII after the first week of preparation. It's not surprising to see the speedy wideout ruled out for the final game of the season, but his move to IR opens up a roster spot for the Chiefs, who've filled the vacancy by activating Clyde Edwards-Helaire (ankle) from IR.

Making his first appearance since Week 9 during this past Sunday's AFC Championship Game against the Bengals, Hardman aggravated his pelvic injury in the second half and now appears to be trending toward an absence from the upcoming Super Bowl, as coach Andy Reid intimated Thursday to Matt Derrick of ChiefsDigest.com. Still, Mike Garafolo of NFL Network reported Thursday that the Chiefs are seeking additional opinions on Hardman to see if he may have a chance to suit up on Feb. 12. Hardman's activity level next Wednesday through Friday likely will be the determining factor in that regard.

What alternatively has been called an abdominal or pelvic issue actually is a core muscle injury, per Garafolo. The health concern contained Hardman to just one appearance since Week 9 in this past Sunday's AFC Championship Game versus the Bengals, a contest in which he aggravated it. On Thursday, coach Andy Reid said "it'll be tough" for Hardman to be active for the Super Bowl, according to Matt Derrick of ChiefsDigest.com. Having said that, the door remains slightly ajar for Hardman to be a part of the Chiefs' offensive game plan on Sunday, Feb. 12.

Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Mecole Hardman (pelvis) is unlikely to play in the Super Bowl versus the Philadelphia Eagles, per head coach Andy Reid. "I think it will be tough for him," Reid said. "I doubt he will make the Super Bowl." Hardman played for the first time since Week 9 in the AFC Championship Game versus the Cincinnati Bengals, but he only logged 15 offensive snaps before aggravating his pelvis injury and leaving. JuJu Smith-Schuster (knee) and Kadarius Toney (ankle/hamstring) did not practice again on Thursday, so Marquez Valdes-Scantling, Justin Watson, and Skyy Moore could be in line for larger roles in the Super Bowl. Jerick McKinnon and Isiah Pacheco also stand to benefit from Hardman's absence. The Eagles allowed the seventh-fewest FanDuel points per game to wide receivers this season and their pass defense was No. 1 in numberFire's adjusted team rankings. McKinnon averaged 5.1 targets per game without Hardman this season and 3.1 targets when they were both active.