The Kansas City Chiefs re-signed veteran wide receiver Mecole Hardman Jr. on Thursday, according to Jordan Schultz of Bleacher Report. The 26-year-old will return for his sixth season with the organization after catching the game-winning touchdown in the Super Bowl LVIII win over the San Francisco 49ers. While Hardman hasn't been a superstar since being selected in the second round of the 2019 NFL Draft, he has caught the third-most touchdowns (16) from Patrick Mahomes, trailing only Travis Kelce (47) and Tyreek Hill (43). Mahomes and the Chiefs trusted him in a crucial moment in the Super Bowl, so he'll likely earn snaps in 2024. Given the uncertainty surrounding Rashee Rice's legal troubles, Kansas City has now drafted Xavier Worthy and brought back Hardman. Hardman has hauled in 166 passes for 2,212 yards and 16 touchdowns through his first 68 career games.
Mecole Hardman Jr. Reels In Super Bowl-Winning Pass
Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Mecole Hardman Jr. played the role of hero for his team in Super Bowl LVIII, reeling in the game-winning touchdown from three yards out to defeat the San Francisco 49ers 25-22. Hardman pulled in each of his three targets for 57 yards in Sunday's big game, also coming down with a 52-yard bomb to get the Chiefs into a goal-to-go during the second quarter. After playing just one snap in the AFC Championship win over the Baltimore Ravens, the 25-year-old stepped up as a deep threat when it mattered most for a Chiefs offense desperate for playmaking down the field all year long. Though he authored quite a feel-good story going from a New York Jets castoff to catching a championship-winning TD, Hardman's Super Bowl heroics are unlikely to make him worth rostering in the majority of 2024 fantasy drafts. Whether it's back with K.C. or another squad, the former Pro Bowl kick returner should find a home next season.
Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Mecole Hardman Jr. paced the team in receiving yardage during Week 18's 13-12 victory over the Los Angeles Chargers, gathering six of his 11 targets for 77 yards. Hardman ended up being the most significant beneficiary of K.C. holding Rashee Rice and Travis Kelce out of action for a contest with no consequence, generating more yardage in this matchup alone than he had coming into play in 10 appearances this season (47). It was certainly a positive takeaway for the 25-year-old deep threat, who may have earned a bit more playing time in the postseason for a Chiefs offense desperate for playmaking down the field. Hardman will still carry nothing greater than dart-throw DFS status for next weekend's Wild Card round, with Rice and Kelce certainly returning to the field on Saturday versus the Miami Dolphins.
Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Mecole Hardman Jr. has a chance to end on a high note what has easily been his least effective season in Week 18 against the Los Angeles Chargers. In nine games over time also with the New York Jets, Hardman has cobbled together nine catches on 13 targets for 47 scoreless yards. Rashee Rice (hamstring) will take a seat on Sunday, with Travis Kelce likely operating on a shortened snap count to boot. Hardman returned to run two routes in last Sunday's home win over the Cincinnati Bengals after a five-game hiatus due to surgery for a sprained thumb, but he could be forced into an amplified role in his second contest back on the field. The speedy 25-year-old is a candidate to frequently occupy three-receiver sets for head coach Andy Reid in the regular-season finale, but Hardman is still a low-floor fantasy bet given his weak production overall.
Mecole Hardman Jr. Activated From IR, Good To Go For Week 17
Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Mecole Hardman Jr. (thumb) has been activated from IR and had his questionable tag removed ahead of Sunday's Week 17 game against the Cincinnati Bengals. Hardman has just eight catches for 41 scoreless yards in four games with the Chiefs after catching just one target for six yards over five games with the Jets to begin the season. Kansas City will be missing Skyy Moore (knee) and Kadarius Toney (hip) in Week 17 so Hardman has a chance to make an impact as the second WR target behind Rashee Rice.
Chiefs Plan To Activate Mecole Hardman Jr. From Injured Reserve
The Kansas City Chiefs plan to activate wide receiver Mecole Hardman Jr. (thumb) from Injured Reserve on Saturday, according to sources. Hardman will bring some much-needed receiver help for the Chiefs, especially with Kadarius Toney (hip) set to miss his second straight game. Hardman has been out since late November with a thumb sprain that required surgery. The 25-year-old was given a questionable designation to play in Week 17 against the Cincinnati Bengals, but if he's activated on Saturday, he'll be active on Sunday to give KC some more receiver depth behind rookie Rashee Rice, Justin Watson and Marquez Valdes-Scantling. Hardman will be competing for snaps with Richie James and won't be on the fantasy radar during championship week in fantasy. In four games since coming over in a trade from the New York Jets, Hardman has eight catches for 41 yards on 10 targets.
Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Mecole Hardman Jr. (thumb) practiced fully once more on Thursday, appearing completely recovered from thumb surgery that has held him out since Week 12. The Chiefs chose not to activate Hardman from injured reserve before Monday's Christmas Day loss to the Las Vegas Raiders, but the speedy wideout looks about ready to be deployed when the team is ready. Hardman fizzled out in his first year with the New York Jets before latching back onto Kansas City in Week 7, but the 25-year-old former Pro Bowl kick returner has yet to pass 13 receiving yards in any of his four games since rejoining the team. Quarterback Patrick Mahomes could really use a deep target in the worst way. Even if Hardman draws a few downfield looks if he is reinstated for Week 17 against the Cincinnati Bengals, it's unlikely to translate to fantasy value for the championship round.
Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Mecole Hardman Jr. (thumb) got in a full practice on Wednesday ahead of his team's Week 17 matchup against the Cincinnati Bengals. Hardman spent four weeks on Injured Reserve after having thumb surgery and was activated ahead of his team's Week 16 game against the Las Vegas Raiders on Christmas Day, although he ultimately didn't end up taking the field. Hardman's ability to practice fully on Wednesday is a positive sign pertaining to his availability for Week 17. Stay tuned to his practice participation for the remainder of the week, but even if he plays this Sunday, he'll be off the fantasy radar.
The Kansas City Chiefs opened the 21-day practice window for wide receiver Mecole Hardman Jr. (thumb) to return from Injured Reserve on Thursday. Hardman had successful surgery on his sprained right thumb and is now close to returning to the team. If he's going to be active on Christmas Day against the division-rival Las Vegas Raiders, the Chiefs will have to officially activate him from Injured Reserve by Saturday. The 25-year-old rejoined the Chiefs this year after starting the year with the New York Jets. His role in Kansas City has been limited, though, as he's caught only eight of 10 targets for 41 yards in four games played. When Hardman returns, he won't be on the fantasy radar with the season almost over while providing receiving depth behind rookie Rashee Rice, Justin Watson and Kadarius Toney, among others.
Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Mecole Hardman Jr. (thumb) said that he had successful surgery on Monday to fix his sprained right thumb. Hardman injured his thumb early in the team's Monday night loss to the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 11 and was placed on Injured Reserve before the club's Week 12 win over the Las Vegas Raiders on Sunday. In his four games since rejoining the Chiefs after being traded from the New York Jets, Hardman had just eight catches on 10 targets for 41 yards and no touchdowns. The 25-year-old must miss at least four games while on Injured Reserve, but he's now likely to miss the remainder of the 2023 campaign after undergoing surgery.
