Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Mecole Hardman. Denny Medley-Imagn Images

Chiefs lose Super Bowl hero to knee injury

Originally posted on Gridiron Heroics | By Jordan Sigler | Last updated Jan 23, 2025 7:54 PM ET

Several Kansas City Chiefs wide receivers battled injuries this season. Despite practicing with the team this month, one has been ruled out for the remainder of the postseason.

The Chiefs lost Marquise Brown for most of the season due to a shoulder injury he suffered in the preseason. He returned for Kansas City’s matchup against the Houston Texans on Dec. 21. Patrick Mahomes has been without Rashee Rice since the second-year pass-catcher suffered a knee injury in September.

Mecole Hardman hasn’t played since going on injured reserve in Week 14 following a knee injury. Hardman attempted to work his way back for the playoffs but will not help Kansas City’s three-peat effort this winter.

Chiefs rule out Mecole Hardman for season

Per Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network, Chiefs head coach Andy Reid confirmed Hardman will miss remaining on injured reserve through the postseason.

“Chiefs coach Andy Reid tells reporters that WR Mecole Hardman, who was attempting to return off IR after a knee injury, will remain there and won’t play again this season,” Rapoport posted on X.

Hardman was a key figure in the Chiefs’ 25-22 win over the San Francisco 49ers in overtime of last year’s Super Bowl. He caught the game-winning touchdown to win Super Bowl LVIII.

Patrick Mahomes walk-off TD to Mecole Hardman on Nickelodeon to win Super Bowl LVIII pic.twitter.com/olbycGmJwB

— Brad Henson Productions (@BradHensonPro) January 11, 2025

The Chiefs selected Hardman in the second round of the 2019 NFL Draft. He’s won three Super Bowls with Kansas City. He had a brief stint with the New York Jets in 2023.

Hardman earned second-team All-Pro honors and a Pro Bowl appearance in 2019. The 26-year-old caught 12 passes for 90 yards in 2024. He appeared in 12 games.

This article first appeared on Gridiron Heroics and was syndicated with permission.

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