The Kansas City Chiefs are heading into the AFC title game against the Buffalo Bills without their hero from last year’s Super Bowl 58 win. The Chiefs are eyeing a historic third consecutive Super Bowl title, but their road ahead to a three-peat has only got tougher with Mecole Hardman ruled out with a knee injury against the Bills.
Chiefs’ wide receivers have generally been plagued by injury this season with Rashee Rice sidelined since September, and Marquise Brown only returning to action at the end of the regular season after missing most of the campaign.
Now as they look for ways to bolster their offense in the biggest games of the year, let’s examine what happened to Hardman, how long he’ll be out, and more.
What Happened to Mecole Hardman?
Hardman suffered a knee injury ahead of the Chiefs’ Week 14 matchup against the Los Angeles Chargers in Nov. 2024. The receiver’s knee tightened up on him during the team’s on-field activities, and head coach Andy Reid informed reporters afterward that he was being placed on injured reserve (IR).
“Alright, as far as the injuries go, Mecole Hardman is the only one,” Reid said. “His knee locked up on him, and so we’re evaluating it right now. This was after our meeting, right before we got on the field. So, we’ll just see where he’s at with that.”
The 26-year-old underwent a successful surgery in early Dec. 2024, and while he did return to practice in January, Reid informed reporters ahead of the Sunday, Jan. 26, game that Hardman wasn’t ready yet and would remain on IR.
“He gave it his all, but he won’t be ready,” he said, speaking on Hardman ahead of the Bills matchup.
“Yeah, we’ll probably put him back on IR there,” Reid added, hinting that Hardman’s 21-day practice window may pass without an activation, ruling the wide receiver out for the rest of the season.
When Will Hardman Return From His Injury?
Although limited, Hardman participated in the Chiefs’ practice before their Divisional Round win against Houston Texans, suggesting that the receiver was nearing full recovery and could possibly be in contention to return to the active roster if they reach their third consecutive Super Bowl.
However, Reid not only ruled him out of the AFC title game against the Bills but the rest of the playoffs as well.
While Hardman had a quieter 2024 season with just 12 catches for 90 yards and a single touchdown on five carries, he could have proved a vital force in the offseason for the Chiefs. The receiver scored the game-winning touchdown in the Chiefs’ 25-22 overtime win over the San Francisco 49ers in Super Bowl 58, and he would be gutted to miss out on the 2025 playoff season.
How Would Hardman’s Absence Impact the Chiefs’ Three-Peat Chances?
Hardman played in 12 games this season; alongside his 12 catches and a touchdown, the receiver added 62 rushing yards and returned 20 punts for 203 yards and five kickoffs for 132 yards.
He spent the first four years of his career in Kansas City, and after a short stint with the New York Jets in 2023 that only lasted until Week 6, he returned and arguably scored the biggest touchdown of his career in the Super Bowl 58 victory. The then-25-year-old caught Patrick Mahomes’ 3-yard touchdown pass in the overtime to give the Chiefs their fourth Super Bowl championship, third since 2020, and second in a row.
Hardman also played pivotal roles in the Chiefs’ postseason wins over the Bills in the 2020 AFC Championship Game and 2021 Divisional Round with a receiving and rushing touchdown, respectively, and will surely be missed during the 2025 AFC title battle and potentially in the Super Bowl if the Chiefs manage to reach their third consecutive berth.
