Mecole Hardman

Chiefs head coach Andy Reid announced that wide receiver Mecole Hardman will not come off of injured reserve in the postseason after suffering a knee injury in Week 13, per NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport. Hardman was designated for return on January 1, so his 21-day practice window is set to expire today. He was not […]

Mecole Hardman won't be catching the game-winning touchdown pass in the Super Bowl this year.

Hardman suffered a knee injury during practice ahead of Week 14 and was placed on injured reserve. The team opened his practice window nearly three weeks ago, meaning they had to make a choice whether to activate him or not this week. He had yet to get in a full practice, so it's possible the knee issue didn't progress the way Kansas City thought it would. On the other hand, the return of Marquise Brown meant there wasn't much of a role for Hardman on offense. Reid may not have had a roster spot to spare for Hardman. Either way, the speedy special teamer ends his sixth NFL season with 12 catches for 90 scoreless yards. He will look for a return role in free agency in the spring.

The Chiefs are coming up on the deadline to activate receiver/returner Mecole Hardman off of injured reserve.

Hardman played in 12 regular season games, catching 12 passes for 90 yards while adding another 5-62-1 on the ground. Hardman caught three passes for 57 yards and a touchdown in last year's Super Bowl against the 49ers but has been little more than a role player and returner for the last three seasons. The decision to activate him from injured reserve would require the Chiefs to cut a player from their 53-man roster or find an excuse to place somebody on injured reserve. Unless there's an injury to a receiver that would open the door for Hardman to return, there's a good chance he'll remain sidelined through the postseason.