Is Mecole Hardman Jr. playing tomorrow? Exploring Chiefs' WR's status ahead of AFC title game vs. Bills

Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Mecole Hardman was placed on the injured reserve list early in December. He reportedly sustained a knee injury while participating in an on-field workout.

Although the Georgia native could have returned for the regular season's last game against the Denver Broncos, he was not activated off injured reserve, which left supporters anticipating his return in the postseason.

Prior to last week's game against the Houston Texans in the divisional round, Hardman also participated in limited practice; however, he wasn't yet ready for competitive action.

It does not seem likely that Mecole Hardman will take the field when the Chiefs host the Buffalo Bills in the AFC Championship Game on Sunday. Read on to know more.

Exploring Mecole Hardman's availability status for the AFC Championship Game

Coach Andy Reid informed reporters on Wednesday that Mecole Hardman is not going to be activated off the Kansas City Chiefs' injured reserve list and will be unavailable for the remainder of the season. The 26-year-old wide receiver will thus not play in Sunday's AFC Championship Game between the Chiefs and the Buffalo Bills.

Hardman concluded the regular season with 12 catches for 90 yards while playing in 12 games. In addition, he rushed five times for 62 yards and one touchdown. With an average of 13.4 yards per touch on special teams, he was the team's main punt return specialist.

Nikko Remigio has filled in for Hardman, averaging 9.5 yards on punt returns and 26.8 yards on kickoff returns.

It's unfortunate that Hardman won't play this time around because he has a history of having significant playoff moments against the Bills. He scored a receiving touchdown against Buffalo in the 2020 AFC Championship Game and a rushing touchdown against them in the 2021 Divisional Round games, both of which the Chiefs won.

Four months after catching the decisive touchdown in the Chiefs' 25-22 overtime win over the San Francisco 49ers in Super Bowl LVIII, Hardman inked a one-year contract extension with the organization. He is now scheduled to become an unrestricted free agency in the coming offseason.

Hardman, who was drafted by the Chiefs with the 56th overall pick in the second round of the 2019 NFL draft, has accumulated 178 receptions for 2,302 yards and 16 touchdowns in 80 career games. He has also won three Super Bowl rings.