Chiefs head coach Andy Reid announced that wide receiver Mecole Hardman will not come off of injured reserve in the postseason after suffering a knee injury in Week 13, per NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport.
Hardman was designated for return on January 1, so his 21-day practice window is set to expire today. He was not an effective pass-catcher in the regular season, recording just 12 receptions for 90 yards and no touchdowns. Hardman was efficient as a runner (60 rushing yards and a touchdown on just five carries) and also handled punt and kick return duties for much of the year.
The Chiefs offense wasn’t relying on Hardman to come back in the playoffs, but he does have a history as a postseason performer. His 791 all-purpose yards in the postseason rank 14th among all active players, ahead of players like Cooper Kupp and A.J. Brown, and he’s reached the end zone four times, including the game-winning touchdown in last year’s Super Bowl.
This year, though, Hardman will be watching from the sidelines with Marquise Brown, Xavier Worthy, and DeAndre Hopkins serving as Patrick Mahomes‘ primary receivers. Worthy had five receptions for 45 yards in the divisional round, but Brown and Hopkins were shut out by the Texans in the divisonal round. Instead it was Travis Kelce once again leading the way with 117 yards and a touchdown on seven catches, extending his lead among active players in several postseason categories.
On special teams, the Chiefs will stick with Nikko Remigio as their primary returner, especially after he racked up 110 yards on three kick returns last week.