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Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Mecole Hardman Jr. played the role of hero for his team in Super Bowl LVIII, reeling in the game-winning touchdown from three yards out to defeat the San Francisco 49ers 25-22. Hardman pulled in each of his three targets for 57 yards in Sunday's big game, also coming down with a 52-yard bomb to get the Chiefs into a goal-to-go during the second quarter. After playing just one snap in the AFC Championship win over the Baltimore Ravens, the 25-year-old stepped up as a deep threat when it mattered most for a Chiefs offense desperate for playmaking down the field all year long. Though he authored quite a feel-good story going from a New York Jets castoff to catching a championship-winning TD, Hardman's Super Bowl heroics are unlikely to make him worth rostering in the majority of 2024 fantasy drafts. Whether it's back with K.C. or another squad, the former Pro Bowl kick returner should find a home next season.
Feb 12, 2024 1:28 AM EST
Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Mecole Hardman Jr. paced the team in receiving yardage during Week 18's 13-12 victory over the Los Angeles Chargers, gathering six of his 11 targets for 77 yards. Hardman ended up being the most significant beneficiary of K.C. holding Rashee Rice and Travis Kelce out of action for a contest with no consequence, generating more yardage in this matchup alone than he had coming into play in 10 appearances this season (47). It was certainly a positive takeaway for the 25-year-old deep threat, who may have earned a bit more playing time in the postseason for a Chiefs offense desperate for playmaking down the field. Hardman will still carry nothing greater than dart-throw DFS status for next weekend's Wild Card round, with Rice and Kelce certainly returning to the field on Saturday versus the Miami Dolphins.
Jan 8, 2024 2:03 AM EST
Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Mecole Hardman Jr. has a chance to end on a high note what has easily been his least effective season in Week 18 against the Los Angeles Chargers. In nine games over time also with the New York Jets, Hardman has cobbled together nine catches on 13 targets for 47 scoreless yards. Rashee Rice (hamstring) will take a seat on Sunday, with Travis Kelce likely operating on a shortened snap count to boot. Hardman returned to run two routes in last Sunday's home win over the Cincinnati Bengals after a five-game hiatus due to surgery for a sprained thumb, but he could be forced into an amplified role in his second contest back on the field. The speedy 25-year-old is a candidate to frequently occupy three-receiver sets for head coach Andy Reid in the regular-season finale, but Hardman is still a low-floor fantasy bet given his weak production overall.
Jan 7, 2024 12:35 AM EST
Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Mecole Hardman Jr. (thumb) has been activated from IR and had his questionable tag removed ahead of Sunday's Week 17 game against the Cincinnati Bengals. Hardman has just eight catches for 41 scoreless yards in four games with the Chiefs after catching just one target for six yards over five games with the Jets to begin the season. Kansas City will be missing Skyy Moore (knee) and Kadarius Toney (hip) in Week 17 so Hardman has a chance to make an impact as the second WR target behind Rashee Rice.
Dec 30, 2023 2:10 PM EST
The Kansas City Chiefs plan to activate wide receiver Mecole Hardman Jr. (thumb) from Injured Reserve on Saturday, according to sources. Hardman will bring some much-needed receiver help for the Chiefs, especially with Kadarius Toney (hip) set to miss his second straight game. Hardman has been out since late November with a thumb sprain that required surgery. The 25-year-old was given a questionable designation to play in Week 17 against the Cincinnati Bengals, but if he's activated on Saturday, he'll be active on Sunday to give KC some more receiver depth behind rookie Rashee Rice, Justin Watson and Marquez Valdes-Scantling. Hardman will be competing for snaps with Richie James and won't be on the fantasy radar during championship week in fantasy. In four games since coming over in a trade from the New York Jets, Hardman has eight catches for 41 yards on 10 targets.
Dec 30, 2023 12:23 PM EST
Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Mecole Hardman Jr. (thumb) practiced fully once more on Thursday, appearing completely recovered from thumb surgery that has held him out since Week 12. The Chiefs chose not to activate Hardman from injured reserve before Monday's Christmas Day loss to the Las Vegas Raiders, but the speedy wideout looks about ready to be deployed when the team is ready. Hardman fizzled out in his first year with the New York Jets before latching back onto Kansas City in Week 7, but the 25-year-old former Pro Bowl kick returner has yet to pass 13 receiving yards in any of his four games since rejoining the team. Quarterback Patrick Mahomes could really use a deep target in the worst way. Even if Hardman draws a few downfield looks if he is reinstated for Week 17 against the Cincinnati Bengals, it's unlikely to translate to fantasy value for the championship round.
Dec 29, 2023 12:38 AM EST
Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Mecole Hardman Jr. (thumb) got in a full practice on Wednesday ahead of his team's Week 17 matchup against the Cincinnati Bengals. Hardman spent four weeks on Injured Reserve after having thumb surgery and was activated ahead of his team's Week 16 game against the Las Vegas Raiders on Christmas Day, although he ultimately didn't end up taking the field. Hardman's ability to practice fully on Wednesday is a positive sign pertaining to his availability for Week 17. Stay tuned to his practice participation for the remainder of the week, but even if he plays this Sunday, he'll be off the fantasy radar.
Dec 27, 2023 9:54 PM EST
The Kansas City Chiefs opened the 21-day practice window for wide receiver Mecole Hardman Jr. (thumb) to return from Injured Reserve on Thursday. Hardman had successful surgery on his sprained right thumb and is now close to returning to the team. If he's going to be active on Christmas Day against the division-rival Las Vegas Raiders, the Chiefs will have to officially activate him from Injured Reserve by Saturday. The 25-year-old rejoined the Chiefs this year after starting the year with the New York Jets. His role in Kansas City has been limited, though, as he's caught only eight of 10 targets for 41 yards in four games played. When Hardman returns, he won't be on the fantasy radar with the season almost over while providing receiving depth behind rookie Rashee Rice, Justin Watson and Kadarius Toney, among others.
Dec 21, 2023 1:00 PM EST
Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Mecole Hardman Jr. (thumb) said that he had successful surgery on Monday to fix his sprained right thumb. Hardman injured his thumb early in the team's Monday night loss to the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 11 and was placed on Injured Reserve before the club's Week 12 win over the Las Vegas Raiders on Sunday. In his four games since rejoining the Chiefs after being traded from the New York Jets, Hardman had just eight catches on 10 targets for 41 yards and no touchdowns. The 25-year-old must miss at least four games while on Injured Reserve, but he's now likely to miss the remainder of the 2023 campaign after undergoing surgery.
Nov 27, 2023 7:13 PM EST
Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Mecole Hardman Jr. (thumb) landed on the injured reserve list on Saturday. The wideout injured his thumb during Monday's loss to the Philadelphia Eagles and had already been ruled out for the Week 12 meeting with the Las Vegas Raiders. However, the injury must be more severe than initially believed, and it's possible he won't be seen again for the rest of the regular season. Hardman, who returned to the Chiefs after only five games with the Jets this season, hasn't been much of a factor, catching eight passes for 41 yards in four games with Kansas City. As a result, his absence won't impact many fantasy managers or allow others to get additional targets. In a corresponding move, Montrell Washington was elevated to the active roster.
Nov 25, 2023 3:30 PM EST
Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Mecole Hardman (thumb) has been ruled out for Sunday's contest versus the Las Vegas Raiders in Week 12, according to head coach Andy Reid. Hardman sprained his thumb early in Monday night's loss to the Philadelphia Eagles and was unable to practice all week. The 25-year-old has mostly specialized as a return man on special teams for the Chiefs since returning this year. He hasn't been a factor on offense, catching eight of his 10 targets for 41 yards in four games. It's hard to really trust any Chiefs pass-catcher not named Travis Kelce in 2023. Rookie Rashee Rice has been the most targeted receiver. Richie James could be active for KC with Hardman out this week, but he's nothing more than receiver depth behind the likes of Rice, Justin Watson, Marquez Valdes-Scantling, Skyy Moore and Kadarius Toney.
Nov 24, 2023 2:17 PM EST
Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Mecole Hardman (thumb) was unable to suit up for practice on Thursday. The speedy wideout was forced to exit early in Week 11 due to a thumb injury and was unable to return. At the moment, it sounds like Hardman is trending in the wrong direction heading into Week 12. Hardman has been a returner on special teams and played a small role on offense. His absence wouldn't have much of an impact on the Chiefs offense for this weekend's game.
Nov 24, 2023 9:34 AM EST
Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Mecole Hardman Jr. (thumb) isn't practicing on Wednesday due to a sprained thumb that he suffered in the Monday night loss to the Philadelphia Eagles. In four games since returning to the Chiefs this year, Hardman has been a non-factor on offense, catching eight passes on 10 targets for 41 yards. He's more of an asset on special teams for Kansas City as kick returner. If the 25-year-old is unable to get cleared to play in Week 12 against the division-rival Las Vegas Raiders, Richie James could be a top candidate to replace him as a kick returner. James was activated from Injured Reserve last Saturday but was inactive on Monday night.
Nov 22, 2023 3:37 PM EST
Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Mecole Hardman Jr. (thumb) exited Monday night's game in the first quarter due to a thumb injury. The team has announced that he's questionable to return. Fantasy managers will want to stay tuned for more updates as they're still figuring out the severity of the issue. He hasn't been very relevant in fantasy football this year, but Patrick Mahomes could use all of his offensive weapons against a tough Philadelphia Eagles team.
Nov 20, 2023 9:11 PM EST
The Kansas City Chiefs are acquiring wide receiver Mecole Hardman Jr. from the New York Jets on Wednesday in exchange for a late-round draft pick, according to sources. Hardman quickly fell out of favor in his first year in New York, catching just one of his three targets for six yards in five games played. He didn't play more than 30 percent of the offensive snaps in any of his five contests while being buried behind Garrett Wilson, Allen Lazard and Randall Cobb. The 25-year-old will now return to a KC offense he's very familiar with, having spent the first four years of his career with the Chiefs. Nobody has really stood out as a pass-catcher behind Travis Kelce for the Chiefs in 2023, so Hardman could have a chance to carve out a fantasy relevant role the rest of the season.
Oct 18, 2023 3:36 PM EST
New York Jets wide receivers Mecole Hardman Jr. (coach's decision) and Xavier Gipson (ankle) are officially active for Sunday's clash with the Philadelphia Eagles. Hardman makes his return after being a healthy scratch last week. Meanwhile, Gipson will suit up despite being listed as questionable. Both players are merely depth options and should not be rostered in redraft leagues.
Oct 15, 2023 3:26 PM EST
The New York Jets are looking at options for wide receiver Mecole Hardman Jr., including a potential trade, according to league sources. Hardman was a healthy scratch in the Week 5 win over the Denver Broncos and has not been in the team's plans despite signing a one-year, $4 million deal in free agency in the offseason with a chance to earn a total of $5.5 million. The 25-year-old former second-round pick of the Kansas City Chiefs in 2019 out of Georgia caught his only target for a six-yard gain in the four games he's played in for New York this year. He's been buried on the depth chart behind Garrett Wilson, Allen Lazard and Randall Cobb and would benefit from a chance of scenery and more playing time elsewhere. For now, Hardman remains off the fantasy radar in all redraft leagues.
Oct 10, 2023 11:15 AM EST
New York Jets wide receiver Mecole Hardman Jr. (finger) "is fine" despite exiting Saturday's game early, head coach Robert Saleh told the media. The 25-year-old had been trending up after a strong showing during his first training camp with the Jets, so it's refreshing to learn that Saleh doesn't believe his injury is too serious. Over his final two seasons (25 games) with the Chiefs, Hardman amassed 84 catches, 990 yards, and six touchdowns. Assuming Hardman is able to play in Week 1, he'll likely do so as the No. 3 receiver behind Garrett Wilson and Allen Lazard. Consider him a modest streaming option in the WR5 or WR6 range.
Aug 26, 2023 9:34 PM EST
New York Jets wide receiver Mecole Hardman Jr. and quarterback Aaron Rodgers have quickly built chemistry in training camp this summer, and Hardman has been a frequent target on Rodgers' quick passes shortly after the snap. Hardman is perfect for those plays because of his speed and after-the-catch ability, and the Jets should be able to find creative ways to use him in the offense. The Athletic's Zack Rosenblatt writes that Hardman is going to have a role in an offense that expects to score a lot, even if Garrett Wilson and Allen Lazard are locked in as the two top receivers. Hardman's big-play ability means he could have some productive weeks if he can stay healthy, something he couldn't do in Kansas City. The 25-year-old probably won't be drafted in 12-team fantasy leagues, but he could end up being an early season streamer if he makes some noise to start the year.
Aug 26, 2023 11:16 AM EST
Hardman (core muscle) took part in 11-on-11s Thursday, Zack Rosenblatt of The Athletic reports.
Jul 20, 2023 9:34 AM EST
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