Chiefs activate receiver Mecole Hardman from NFL’s reserve/injured list: details here
After 21 days, the wait is finally over.
The Chiefs on Wednesday activated wide receiver Mecole Hardman from the injured/reserve list to their 53-player roster.
The move comes in advance of Saturday’s regular-season finale against the Las Vegas Raiders at Allegiant Stadium and with the postseason looming.
Hardman practiced Wednesday and impressed Chiefs coach Andy Reid.
“Mecole went out and did some good work today,” Reid said. “We’re just going to see how he feels tomorrow. He’s day by day, he’s trying his heart out to get back in here.”
Hardman, who hasn’t played since Nov. 6, landed on injured reserve with an abdominal injury on Nov. 17. The Chiefs designated him as “return to practice” on Dec. 14. That designation opened a 21-day evaluation period for the Chiefs to decide whether to activate him or leave him on injured reserve.
The evaluation period had its ups and down. Reid revealed last week that Hardman suffered a setback, which caused the receiver to miss two days of practice, but all is apparently well now.
With Hardman’s return, the Chiefs return to full strength at the wide receiver position for the first time since Week 9’s game against the Tennessee Titans. Hardman rejoins JuJu Smith-Schuster, Marquez Valdes-Scantling, Kadarius Toney, Justin Watson and rookie Skyy Moore on the 53-player roster.
Before his injury, Hardman totaled 328 yards from scrimmage (297 yards receiving) and six touchdowns (four receiving, two rushing). He also contributed six punt returns for 55 yards.
To make room on the roster, the Chiefs waived offensive lineman Geron Christian.
This story was originally published January 4, 2023 at 2:42 PM.
