The Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver room has struggled to maintain consistency in 2023. Injuries certainly won’t help them going forward, with one of their pass catchers heading to the injured reserve (IR) on Saturday. Per NFL insider Adam Schefter, the Chiefs have placed wideout Mecole Hardman on the IR.
Chiefs placed WR Mecole Hardman on injured reserve.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) November 25, 2023
Hardman suffered a sprained thumb in his team’s 21-17 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles last Monday. He did not practice in any capacity this week, eventually being tossed on the IR. The Chiefs have also ruled out fellow wideout Kadarius Toney for their Week 12 clash against the Las Vegas Raiders.
Kansas City Chiefs WR Mecole Hardman: Amid Second-Stint with KC
Hardman originally started the 2023 season with the New York Jets, catching one pass for six yards in five games. However, the Chiefs traded for the wideout in mid-October, returning him to the city where he spent his first four NFL seasons. Hardman has eight receptions for 41 yards this season with the Chiefs while also operating as the team’s primary punt returner.
The Georgia product has won two Super Bowls with the Chiefs while also earning Pro Bowl and All-Pro honors as a rookie in 2019. His best season came in 2021, catching 59 passes for 693 yards and two scores. He also turned in eight receptions for 121 yards and a touchdown during that season’s playoff run. He had two catches in last Monday’s loss against the Eagles.
KC Chiefs: Decimated Wide Receiver Room Looks to Bounce-Back in Week 12
The Kansas City Chiefs wide receivers have taken a bunch of national heat this week for their performance last Monday. They struggled with drops, most notably Marquez Valdes-Scantling dropping a would-be 51-yard touchdown pass late in the fourth quarter. Additionally, Justin Watson dropped a fourth-down conversion on the same drive, effectively ending KC’s comeback chances. Watson finished the game with a team-high 53 receiving yards, but MVS went without a reception.
The Chiefs will operate without wideouts Kadarius Toney and Mecole Hardman on Sunday. Watson should again earn a solid target share, while Valdes-Scantling could have multiple opportunities for redemption. Meanwhile, the Chiefs could use more of standout rookie receiver Rashee Rice. He has 36 receptions for 420 yards and four scores while continuing to impress this season. Kansas City also has former second-round pick Skyy Moore on the roster, but he has just three catches in November. The Chiefs have opted to use Watson and Rice more instead of Moore.
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