Will Chiefs WR Mecole Hardman return from injury for AFC Championship Game vs. Bills? Andy Reid shares latest update
The Kansas City Chiefs have a decision to make on Super Bowl LVIII hero Mecole Hardman this week. Hardman has been on injured reserve since Week 14 with a knee injury suffered in practice, which required cleanup surgery. Hardman spent several weeks on injured reserve before his 21-day practice window was opened on Jan. 1. He was back […]
The Kansas City Chiefs have a decision to make on Super Bowl LVIII hero Mecole Hardman this week.
Hardman has been on injured reserve since Week 14 with a knee injury suffered in practice, which required cleanup surgery. Hardman spent several weeks on injured reserve before his 21-day practice window was opened on Jan. 1. He was back on the field in practice last week as a limited participant for all three days for Kansas City.
Speaking to media members on Monday, Chiefs HC Andy Reid confirmed that he hadn't yet decided about Hardman's potential return.
"We'll see how that goes here," Reid said. "I haven't made any decisions on that yet. But he's worked hard to try to get himself back and get going. But we'll see how all that, how that works out."
Reid will likely want to see Hardman in practice again before making a final determination. If the Chiefs do not activate Hardman to the 53-man roster by Wednesday, Jan. 22, he will be ineligible to return for the rest of the playoffs and will remain on injured reserve.
Will Hardman return for the AFC Championship Game?
Right now, it's not looking super likely that Hardman will be activated in time for the AFC Championship Game. Even if he were ready to return, the team might not have room on the 53-man roster. They're in near-perfect health, especially at the wide receiver position, which leaves little room for his activation.
While Hardman has been out, Chiefs second-year WR Nikko Remigio has taken over as the team's primary return specialist. In the AFC divisional round against the Texans, he opened up the game with a 63-yard kick return to set up the Chiefs deep in Houston territory. Ball security has been an issue at times with Remigio, while Hardman has been mostly surehanded this season.
It's also important to remember that Hardman has been in some big games against Buffalo in the past. Hardman has eight touches for 112 yards and two touchdowns vs. the Bills in three playoff games. He also has 15 touches for 139 yards and one touchdown across four regular-season meetings. He's totaled just three career kick returns for 59 yards against Buffalo and no punt returns.
Kansas City Chiefs HC Andy Reid provides injury update on key defenders heading into the AFC Championship Game vs. Buffalo Bills
The Kansas City Chiefs are looking quite healthy heading into the AFC Championship Game against the Buffalo Bills.
