Kansas City Chiefs Clear WR Hardman for Week 17

The Kansas City Chiefs will finally see one of their premier young pass catchers back in action when they host the Denver Broncos in Week 17. Head coach Andy Reid told reporters at his Wednesday press conference that he expects wide receiver Mecole Hardman to make his long-awaited return from an abdomen injury on Sunday.

Andy Reid on Mecole Hardman: "Now it's a matter of getting him in the game. Unless there's setback, I expect him in there."
— Nate Taylor (@ByNateTaylor) December 28, 2022

Hardman has been unavailable since the Chiefs' Week 9 20-17 win over the Tennessee Titans. He had totalled 328 yards from scrimmage and six touchdowns over eight appearances before his untimely abdomen injury.

The Chiefs have remained one of the league's elite offenses over Hardman's absence; they rank second in scoring and first in passing yards this season. Hardman should provide yet another versatile, speedy pair of hands for the closing stretch of the season. He'll likely compete with Kadarius Toney for WR3 duties.

Hardman joined the Chiefs as their 56th overall pick in the 2019 NFL Draft. Despite the relatively high draft pick the Chiefs invested in him, he has plateaued as a solid role player in their offense: he has totalled 2088 receiving yards and 16 touchdowns in 57 appearances for the team. He'll hit unrestricted free agency following this season.