This season, the O-line of the Chiefs hasn’t performed at its best. One main reason is the injuries to their key players. The WR Marquise ‘Hollywood’ Brown injured his sternoclavicular (SC) joint during the preseason and was expected to miss the entire season. A similar thing happened with Rashee Rice, who suffered a knee injury during the week 4 matchup against the Chargers. He might not play this season. Now, another injury has put them in further jeopardy.

As soon as the news of the Chiefs placing receiver Mecole Hardman Jr. on the Injured Reserve (IR) list broke, fans started attacking him. One fan wrote, “Boy I tel you one thing, you can always count on @mecolehardman4 b– a– always getting hurt somehow some way 🤦”  But he wasn’t in the mood to take some criticism. Instead, the WR got angry with all those fantasy football managers (type) fans and replied on his IG Story, “It be people like this that make you wanna say some 😂🤦 Bro probably ain’t never accomplished nothing in life 😂” The WR’s frustration is understandable.

The last 2 years have been full of unforeseen situations for Mecole Hardman. He arrived at Arrowhead in 2019 and won 3 Super Bowls. However, in the 2023 off-season, he was traded to the Jets and returned to the Chiefs in October 2023. Earlier this season, he signed a 1-year, $1.125 million contract with them. And with injuries to so many other WRs, he had a splendid chance to increase his value.

However, the knee injury has derailed his plans. In 2024, he recorded 12 receptions in 90 yards and 1 touchdown in 5 carries for 62 yards. But losing such a veteran WR has more implications for the Chiefs, particularly on their morale. The locker room was hoping he would come back at the earliest.

Everyone is pumped up about their week 14 game against the Chargers. But the HC’s announcement shocked everyone. It’s beyond understanding.

Andy Reid preparing for the Chargers battle after putting Mecole Hardman on IR

Just before the team’s practice on Friday, the 6th of December, the receiver’s ‘knee locked up on him.’ That’s what Andy Reid said before adding, “(the injury happened) right after our meeting, so before we got on the field, so we’ll just see where he’s at with that.” Well, looks like their evaluation is complete. And the receiver will miss at least the next 4 games.

For now, the Chargers rematch is a battle looming in their face. When they played against them in week 4, the Chiefs won 17-10. However, their divisional rivals are on an upward trajectory. They have won 5 out of the last 6 games. The coach would not like the absence of Mecole Hardman to affect their game.

Andy Reid has remained alert to such situations the entire year round. He immediately promoted the WR Nikko Remigio from the practice squad to the active roster. Though they haven’t revealed their plans for him yet, it looks like a move to develop further talent. Will it pay off? We’ll find out soon.