The Kansas City Chiefs are gearing up for their AFC Championship clash with the Buffalo Bills, but they’ll be missing a key piece of their offensive puzzle. Coach Andy Reid announced that wide receiver Mecole Hardman will remain on injured reserve, sidelining him for the rest of the postseason. It’s a tough break for the Chiefs, as Hardman has been a crucial cog in their offense, ever since he snagged that iconic game-winning touchdown against the San Francisco 49ers during their 25-22 Super Bowl LVIII triumph.
Hardman’s journey to injured reserve started back in Week 14 when a knee injury took him out of the lineup. This has left many fans wondering if he could make a miraculous comeback for the playoffs. Despite hopes, his availability remained uncertain, and now, it’s official—Chiefs fans will have to wait until next season to see him back in action.
In the 2024 season, Hardman pulled in 12 passes for 90 yards with one touchdown across 115 offensive snaps and made his presence felt on special teams with 73 snaps. The speedy wideout, who had signed a one-year contract to stay with Kansas City last offseason, will now look to get healthy and prepare for the upcoming free agency period in March.
For quarterback Patrick Mahomes, the challenge is clear: adjust without Hardman and continue to fire on all cylinders. Luckily, Mahomes has a cadre of weapons at his disposal, including star tight end Travis Kelce and fellow receivers Xavier Worthy and Hollywood Brown, among others. This matchup against the Bills promises to be an electrifying showdown, with Mahomes expected to rely heavily on his remaining arsenal in what could turn into an offensive shootout. Chiefs Kingdom will certainly be watching closely and hoping the rest of the receiving crew can step up to fill Hardman’s shoes as they push for another Super Bowl run.
