Mecole Hardman's Stats, Metrics, Game Logs, Projections & Rankings

Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Mecole Hardman (knee) was limited in practice all week but has been ruled out for the Week 18 regular-season finale on Sunday against the division-rival Denver Broncos. The Chiefs opened Hardman's 21-day window to return from Injured Reserve on Wednesday, but they will wait to officially activate him. The Chiefs have already secured the top seed in the AFC and a first-round bye in the playoffs, so the earliest Hardman could return from IR would be for the Divisional Round of the postseason. The 26-year-old will have ample time to get closer to 100 percent by then, but even if he comes off IR and is active in the playoffs, he's likely to have a small role behind starters DeAndre Hopkins, Marquise Brown and others. In 12 games before his injury, Hardman had only 12 receptions on 14 targets for 90 yards and no touchdowns.

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.

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.

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.

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.