Mecole

Hardman

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 Hollywood 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.

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.

Hardman is still on injured reserve, working his way back from the knee injury he suffered in practice before Week 14. The Chiefs opened his 21-day window ahead of the playoffs, so they have to bring him off injured reserve next week if he’s going to play in the postseason.

Hardman won’t play this week, but the designation allows him to return to practice as he and the Chiefs get ready for the playoffs. Hardman won’t see much work on offense when healthy. He will contribute on special teams while seeing the occasional designed touch. He will eye a return in the Divisional Round following the Chiefs’ bye.

Hardman was placed on injured reserve in early December after reports that his knee “locked up” in practice ahead of Week 14’s game against the Chargers. Hardman has caught 12 passes for 90 yards this season while also serving as the team’s primary punt returner before his injury. He’s eligible to return off injured reserve for Week 18’s game against the Broncos.

Previous reports indicated that Hardman’s knee “locked up” on him before Friday’s practice, something that now has landed him on injured reserve and will keep him out until at least Week 18. Hardman has been barely utilized in his second stint with the Chiefs, but his schemed usage in the short area could be eaten up by running back Samaje Perine in the meantime.

Beat reporter Sam McDowell adds that the injury leaves Harman’s “status in question for Sunday.” Hardman appears very unlikely to play. The banged-up WR has dealt with knee, shoulder and toe injuries since Week 10, suggesting he may have aggravated the preexisting issue.

Hardman gained 15 yards on two carries but was not involved in the Chiefs’ passing attack. JuJu Smith-Schuster operated as the team’s WR3 while the Chiefs once again made frequent use of two tight end sets. Hardman is not fantasy relevant for now.

Hardman got banged up in Week 9 but returned to catch three passes for 17 yards. The gadget receiver will continue seeing a handful of schemed touches a week but is not on the fantasy radar heading into Week 10.

Hardman took a hard hit on the sidelined in the first quarter of Week 9’s matchup with Tampa Bay and was listed as questionable to return because of a shoulder injury. He made his way back onto the field in the second half and caught three balls for 17 yards. With first-round rookie Xavier Worthy struggling, Hardman will continue to see a few designed plays per week as a part-time player.