Chiefs WR Mecole Hardman designated to return from IR | KCSN Daily 12.14
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The Chiefs officially designated WR Mecole Hardman to return from injured reserve on Wednesday, opening his 21-day practice window. Hardman was placed on IR on November 17 with an undisclosed abdominal issue.
Andy Reid spoke to media members about what Hardman was dealing with and his return to action on Wednesday.
“He lost a bunch of weight and so it was a matter of kind of getting that back, but not with cheeseburgers (laughter),” Reid said. “But to get back some good, hearty weight and strength. And so, he's been working on that. He's been working like crazy on that. And he's going to continue to do that here. He’ll do that this week when he's out practicing and doing that. Ok, can we hold the weight and add a little bit to it.”
Here’s a look at Hardman fielding punts during individual drills at practice courtesy of KC Star beat writer Herbie Teope & Fox 4 Kansas City reporter Harold R. Kuntz:
Reid added that the team is just going to see how Mecole Hardman does during the ramp-up process this week. They haven’t made a decision on whether he’ll be activated and play in Week 15 and seem committed to easing him back into action.
After practice, Hardman tweeted the following.
The Breakdown - Good and bad from Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes’ performance vs. Broncos:
Matt Hamilton and former Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Matt Cassel break down some key moments from the Kansas City Chiefs' victory over the Denver Broncos and the good and bad in Patrick Mahomes' performance. To round out the show, the Matts talk about the upcoming matchup with the Houston Texans and what to expect.
Wednesday Injury Report:
Chiefs:
DNP: None.
LP: WR Kadarius Toney (Hamstring) and DB Nazeeh Johnson (Hamstring).
FP: WR JuJu Smith-Schuster (Toe), QB Patrick Mahomes (Right hand), S Justin Reid (Shoulder), LB Nick Bolton (Groin), S Deon Bush (Elbow), RG Trey Smith (Knee), CB L’Jarius Sneed (Calf), OT Lucas Niang (Knee), CB Jaylen Watson (Hand), and RB Isiah Pacheco (Shoulder/Quad).
Texans
DNP: LT Laremy Tunsil (Illness), DB Derek Stingley Jr. (Hamstring), RB Dameon Pierce (Ankle), DB Steven Nelson (Foot), OL Justin McCray (Hamstring), DL Jerry Hughes (NIR), WR Brandin Cooks (Calf), WR Nico Collins (Foot), DL Maliek Collins (NIR), and DL Mario Addison (NIR).
LP: DL Taylor Stallworth (Calf), DL Roy Lopez (Hip), DL Kurt Hinish (Shoulder), and OL Kenyon Green (Ankle).
FP: FB Troy Hairston (Chest).
Key:
DNP (Did Not Participate), LP (Limited Participant), FP (Full Participant), NIR (Not Injury Related).
Notes:
Remember, the Chiefs are not required to list the practice participation of WR Mecole Hardman until he has been activated to the 53-man roster.
Pro Bowl Games Fan Voting update:
The Chiefs still have the fifth-most votes among all NFL teams in the league’s latest tally of fan voting. Only four players for K.C. are currently leading the AFC field at their respective position as of Dec. 14. Patrick Mahomes, while having the third-most votes among all players still trails Dolphins QB Tua Tagovailoa (182,118).
Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes: 172,400
Chiefs TE Travis Kelce: 170,034
Chiefs LB Nick Bolton: 93,844
Chiefs C Creed Humphrey: 68,851
Chiefs RS (Return Specialist) Isiah Pacheco: 74,884
You can vote for players online here. You can also vote on Twitter through Dec. 15. To cast a vote on Twitter, tweet the first and last name of the player, the player’s official Twitter handle, or a hashtag including the player’s first and last name. All three of these methods must include the hashtag #ProBowlVote. Retweet votes are doubled from Dec. 14 through Dec. 15.
KCSN Update:
KCSN’s BJ Kissel and Brett Kollmann talk about Brett's thoughts on the Kansas City Chiefs' performance vs. the Denver Broncos and talk about how the Chiefs can win schematically over the Houston Texans.
Quotable:
“Yeah, so they're kind of getting through that part of the year where the bowl games are starting, seasons (are) over and now you got another season. So, they kind of go through that whole rookie thing. And if they're playing, they have the chance to play and they're going, ‘Man, my body's a little of this and my mind's a little of this and I got to power through it and here we go.’ But I love their attitude. I love the way they compete, and I love the way they're getting better. Earlier it was leaps and bounds and now it's settled down a little bit to where it's smaller jumps, but we're going to be ok there. The attitudes (have) got to stay the way it is and keep competing and have a short memory when you're back there. That's one thing you have to learn in this league, that you better learn from it. Get that in there and then get the garbage out and then go compete the next play.” - Andy Reid on the Chiefs’ young secondary
“I think getting Mecole (Hardman) and KT (Kadarius Toney) back will just add another dimension. I mean obviously they can do the jet sweeps and stuff like that but just adding that speed to the field it makes teams have to honor it. Obviously, Marquez (Valdes-Scantling) has done a great job of filling that role and so has Skyy (Moore) but just to continue to add speed - to any offense - that those two guys have. I think it’ll open up everybody else because you have to really account for those two guys on every play.” - Patrick Mahomes on getting Kadarius Toney and Mecole Hardman back
Quick Hits:
From the Wire: Former Chiefs RB Damien Williams is officially a free agent. That means he can sign with any team on their 53-man roster or practice squad.
From Derrick Nnadi: Chiefs DT Derrick Nnadi is very active in the community and most recently teamed up with a local KC BBQ join to provide meals for families at the Boys & Girls Club of Great Kansas City.
From JuJu Foundation: Chiefs WR JuJu Smith-Schuster and his foundation hosted an event to give back to the Kansas City community. The paid off nearly $10K in layaway items at Burlington to help families afford holiday gifts. Check out the recap video below.
Important dates ahead:
Sunday, Dec. 18 at Noon CT - Week 15: Chiefs vs. Texans - NRG Stadium - Houston, Texas
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