The Chiefs have designated wide receiver Mecole Hardman for return from injured reserve and opened his 21-day practice window, per Bleacher Report’s James Palmer.
Hardman landed on IR on December 7 with a knee injury after a quiet start to the season. He appeared in Kansas City’s first 12 games this season but made just 12 catches for 90 yards across his 114 offensive snaps.
Hardman had a bigger impact on special teams, averaging 10.2 yards on 20 punt returns and posting a career-high 26.4 yards per kickoff return. He will likely return to that role once healthy, though Nikko Remigio has done a solid job in his absence.
Hardman’s return may seem of little consequence given his lack of production this year, but he has been a solid playoff performer for the Chiefs in past championships runs. He has 393 all-purpose yards and four total touchdowns in his postseason career, including the game-winner in last year’s Super Bowl.
If Hardman is activated in time for the Chiefs’ Week 18 matchup with the Broncos, he will be catching passes from Carson Wentz, not Patrick Mahomes, according to Palmer. Head coach Andy Reid is opting to rest Mahomes and several other key starters for Sunday’s game with the AFC’s No. 1 seed already secured. Mahomes and the other resting players will have two weeks off before Kansas City embarks on their quest for a third straight championship.