According to Sam McDowell of The Kansas City Star, the Kansas City Chiefs are opening wide receiver Mecole Hardman's (knee) practice window on Wednesday. Hardman was placed on the injured reserve during the first week of December with a knee injury but will have a good opportunity to return in the postseason. Before the injury, Hardman caught just 12 of his 14 targets for 90 yards and no scores. He added 62 rushing yards and a touchdown on five rushing attempts. When Hardman does return, fantasy managers should expect him to operate as a depth option in the passing attack. However, with Marquise Brown back in action, Hardman will only see occasional snaps and should not be targeted in any playoff competitions.
Jan 1, 2025 1:19 PM EST
Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid said on Monday that there's a chance that wide receiver Mecole Hardman (knee) could "potentially" return in the postseason. The Chiefs locked up the No. 1 seed in the AFC and will have a first-round bye, which will give their injured players an extra week to try and heal up. The 26-year-old wideout was placed on Injured Reserve back on Dec. 7, but he'll be eligible to return for the Week 18 regular-season finale this Sunday against the division-rival Denver Broncos. Hardman isn't going to be activated for that game, but depending on how he recovers, he could be available for the Divisional Round of the playoffs that runs from Jan. 17-23. In 12 games before his injury, Hardman didn't make much of an impact (12 catches for 90 yards) in a banged-up receiving corps, so fantasy managers in postseason formats shouldn't expect much from him if he returns in January.
Dec 30, 2024 8:09 PM EST
According to Tom Pelissero of the NFL Network, Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Mecole Hardman (knee) was placed on Injured Reserve. The 26-year-old sustained this knee injury during Friday's practice and will now miss at least the next four contests. Hardman has been deployed as a depth receiver this year, as he has seen most of his work on special teams while operating as the top return man. After not catching a single pass during the first four games of the season, Hardman has caught 12 of his 14 targets since Week 5 for 90 total yards. He has also added 62 yards and a score on the ground. In fantasy formats that score return yards, managers should expect rookie Xavier Worthy to potentially return kicks (he already returns punts) or rookie Carson Steele, who is currently listed as the No. 2 return man.
Dec 7, 2024 2:00 PM EST
Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Mecole Hardman (knee) suffered an injury on Friday which puts him in danger of missing Sunday's game against the Los Angeles Chargers. Hardman reportedly had his knee lock up on him before Friday's practice. The 26-year-old now appears to be questionable ahead of this weekend's contest. His absence doesn't mean too much for this offense considering Hardman hasn't recorded a reception since Week 11. Although, Hardman is an excellent member on special teams, so his absence would certainly hurt there.
Dec 6, 2024 3:02 PM EST
Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Mecole Hardman Jr. caught the pass from Patrick Mahomes that resulted in his team defeating the 49ers in Super Bowl LVIII. Unfortunately, the 26-year-old hasn't been relevant since then, catching only 12 passes for 90 yards during the 2024-25 campaign. With the number of injuries on the roster this season, most assumed Hardman would have a chance to get more involved. However, that hasn't happened. Of course, he's been known to have some impressive fantasy showings over the years. Still, outside of his contributions as a member of the special teams unit, Hardman likely won't see much work in Week 12 versus the Carolina Panthers.
Nov 24, 2024 1:07 AM EST
Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Mecole Hardman (shoulder, knee) logged a full practice on Friday. He had previously been listed as a limited participant. Friday's upgrade in practice status prompted the Chiefs to remove Hardman from the injury report, which means he'll suit up this week versus the Denver Broncos. The 26-year-old has filled a depth role this year, catching just nine of 10 targets for 75 yards. His involvement is expected to stay roughly the same in Week 10, keeping him firmly off the fantasy radar.
Nov 9, 2024 9:19 AM EST
Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Mecole Hardman (shoulder) is back on the field shortly after exiting Monday's game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Hardman was forced to exit in the first quarter after suffering a shoulder injury while returning a punt. He was taken to the locker room to be evaluated, but appears to be fine. He's back and returned a punt in the second quarter of this game. Hardman was yet to be targeted as a receiver with the game nearly at halftime. However, Hardman is a solid punt returner, so having him back is a plus for the Chiefs.
Nov 4, 2024 9:25 PM EST
Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Mecole Hardman (shoulder) was forced to exit during the first quarter of Monday's game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Hardman suffered a shoulder injury during a punt return and was taken to the locker room. He's currently being evaluated and is considered as questionable to return to Monday's game. The absence of Hardman won't have much of an impact on this offense. He didn't see a target before exiting and has only been targeted three times over the last two games.
Nov 4, 2024 9:10 PM EST
Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Mecole Hardman had one catch for 17 yards, two carries for 38 yards, and a touchdown in the 28-18 win against the San Francisco 49ers. Hardman did not command many targets, but he capitalized on his opportunities with a score on the ground. With fellow wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster sidelined with a hamstring injury in this contest, Hardman had more opportunities to get involved. This matchup marked his second game back from injury, and Hardman's role will likely increase as the season goes on and he gets healthier. Hardman is familiar with Mahomes and the offense, so it shouldn't be long before we see more involvement from him. The Chiefs will take on the Raiders in Week 8. The Raiders are not a cakewalk matchup for wide receivers since they rank ninth in fantasy points allowed, but Kansas City gets their playmakers involved in unique ways, so Hardman could see some volume. Despite scoring in this week's contest, Hardman's role in the offense is undetermined, and he should be viewed as a desperation flex play until we get more information about his usage.
Oct 20, 2024 9:55 PM EST
Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Mecole Hardman (knee) is officially active for the Week 5 contest on Monday Night Football against the visiting New Orleans Saints. Hardman will be able to go this week despite battling through a knee injury. Even with Rashee Rice (knee) potentially out for the rest of the season, Hardman hasn't been a popular waiver-wire pickup in fantasy. The 26-year-old played a season-high 16% of the offensive snaps in the Week 4 win over the division-rival Los Angeles Chargers after Rice hurt his knee early in that game, but he wasn't targeted at all and has not been targeted a single time in five games in 2024. Hardman should have more chances moving forward, but the Chiefs will mostly be relying on rookie Xavier Worthy, Justin Rice, JuJu Smith-Schuster and even Skyy Moore at receiver.
Oct 7, 2024 7:25 PM EST
Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Mecole Hardman Jr. (knee) is questionable for Monday's matchup with the Saints. The veteran didn't practice on Friday. However, he was a full-participant on Saturday, so there's a good chance he'll suit up. With that said, despite the absences of Rashee Rice (knee) and Marquise Brown (shoulder), Hardman likely won't get more involved, considering he's primarily used on special teams. As a result, it will likely be business as usual versus New Orleans, with Travis Kelce and Xavier Worthy expected to see the most attention from Patrick Mahomes.
Oct 5, 2024 4:46 PM EST
Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Mecole Hardman was the team leader in targets in Thursday's preseason loss to the visiting Chicago Bears at Arrowhead Stadium, but he only hauled in just one of his four passes for six yards in the defeat. Hardman brought in a short six-yard reception from backup quarterback Chris Oladokun in a goal-to-go situation in the second quarter on Thursday against the Bears. After catching the game-winning pass for the Chiefs in Super Bowl LVIII, Hardman is back to provide the club with some depth in the receiving corps, and there's not much reason to believe he won't be a part of the 53-man roster. The 26-year-old veteran deep threat isn't likely to play many snaps when KC's receiving corps is healthy, but he could see some more action in the early going with Marquise Brown (shoulder) currently sidelined.
Aug 23, 2024 12:31 AM EST
The Kansas City Chiefs re-signed veteran wide receiver Mecole Hardman Jr. on Thursday, according to Jordan Schultz of Bleacher Report. The 26-year-old will return for his sixth season with the organization after catching the game-winning touchdown in the Super Bowl LVIII win over the San Francisco 49ers. While Hardman hasn't been a superstar since being selected in the second round of the 2019 NFL Draft, he has caught the third-most touchdowns (16) from Patrick Mahomes, trailing only Travis Kelce (47) and Tyreek Hill (43). Mahomes and the Chiefs trusted him in a crucial moment in the Super Bowl, so he'll likely earn snaps in 2024. Given the uncertainty surrounding Rashee Rice's legal troubles, Kansas City has now drafted Xavier Worthy and brought back Hardman. Hardman has hauled in 166 passes for 2,212 yards and 16 touchdowns through his first 68 career games.
Jun 6, 2024 10:51 AM EST
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
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