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Chiefs Reveal WR Won't Play in Super Bowl if They Make it

One veteran Chiefs wideout has effectively been ruled out of the Super Bowl if the Chiefs defeat the Bills in the AFC Championship Game.

By Devon Platana

Kansas City Chiefs offensive coordinator Matt Nagy (left) and coach Andy Reid react against the Las Vegas Raiders in the second half at Allegiant Stadium.
Kansas City Chiefs offensive coordinator Matt Nagy (left) and coach Andy Reid react against the Las Vegas Raiders in the second half at Allegiant Stadium. / Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
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The Kansas City Chiefs will look to inch closer to yet another Super Bowl appearance when they host the Buffalo Bills for Sunday's AFC Championship Game. The NFL has yet to see a franchise win three consecutive Lombardi Trophies but the Chiefs will have the opportunity to change that win another postseason win over the Bills.

Chiefs Kingdom would love nothing more than to see Andy Reid & Co. punch their ticket to New Orleans this weekend. Having said that, Kansas City will be without one of its veteran wideouts if it does reach Super Bowl LIX.

Chiefs Injury News: WR Mecole Hardman Added to IR

According to Arrowhead Pride's Pete Sweeney, head coach Reid revealed on Wednesday that the Chiefs have placed wide receiver Mecole Hardman on injured reserve. After a knee injury has sidelined the 26-year-old playmaker since Week 13, his IR placement officially rules him out for the rest of the playoffs.

The Chiefs originally placed Hardman on the IR at the beginning of December before activating his 21-day practice window earlier this month. Unfortunately, his rehabilitation hasn't gone as planned, meaning he likely won't return to the field until offseason team activities begin at best.

Hardman, 26, was drafted 56th overall by the Chiefs in 2019. The speedy downfield threat spent his first four NFL seasons in Kansas City before signing with the New York Jets ahead of the 2023 campaign. That tenure only lasted a few months before the Jets sent Hardman back to the Chiefs, who he's played with ever since.

When healthy, Hardman spent time playing in offensive and special teams roles. Although he only managed 12 catches for 90 yards without a score as a receiver, the former Georgia Bulldog made a more significant impact as a returner. He averaged 10.2 yards on 20 kick returns as well as 26.4 yards on the five punts he fielded.

It's going to be interesting to see where Hardman will attempt to bounce back. He's set to hit free agency in March and there's no guarantee that the Chiefs will re-sign him, especially considering how he's only been healthy enough to suit up in 31 regular-season games since the start of 2022.

In the meantime, the Chiefs will look to defeat the Bills without their Super Bowl LVIII hero. The defending champions are currently listed as the 1.5-point favorites ahead of the 2024-25 AFC Championship Game, per FanDuel Sportsbook.

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