Who Should I Start? Mecole Hardman or Nico Collins

Friday, January 17, 7:05 PM

The Kansas City Chiefs officially ruled out wide receiver Mecole Hardman (knee) on Friday for the Divisional Round contest on Saturday against the Houston Texans. Hardman remains on Injured Reserve but will not be activated for the team's first game of the playoffs as they seek an unprecedented third straight Super Bowl title. The 26-year-old was designated to return from IR back on Jan. 1 but did not play in the Week 18 regular-season finale against the division-rival Denver Broncos. The Chiefs were on bye last week during the wild-card round of the playoffs. If the Chiefs advance to the AFC Championship next weekend, it remains to be seen if Hardman will be available to return after he was limited in practice this week. He has been out since Week 13, so even if he were to return if KC advances, it's unlikely Hardman would have a very big role on offense.

Saturday, January 18, 7:53 PM

Houston Texans wide receiver Nico Collins finished his team's Divisional Round playoff defeat at Kansas City with five catches on eight targets for 81 yards, a decent day considering Houston's considerable challenges in the passing game. The Texans surrendered eight sacks and only completed 19 passes as quarterback C.J. Stroud spent most of the afternoon under siege. The 25-year-old receiver further cemented his status as a No. 1 option in 2024, but by the end of the season, didn't have much support with compatriots Tank Dell (knee) and Stefon Diggs (knee) out for the year. He figures to be part of the long-term plan for Houston, which ends the season in the Divisional Round for the second straight year.