Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Mecole Hardman (knee) will not be activated from injured reserve, per head coach Andy Reid.

Kansas City #Chiefs head coach Andy Reid provides crucial update on wide receiver Mecole Hardman’s injury status | @EdEastonJr

The Kansas City Chiefs will not return a key reinforcement as they aim for their fifth Super Bowl appearance in the past six seasons. Head coach Andy Reid

The injury occurred during a Week 14 practice, and Hardman was placed on injured reserve on Dec. 7. While the Chiefs designated him to return on Jan. 1 — giving him a 21-day practice window — his recovery didn’t progress as hoped.

The Kansas City Chiefs have a decision to make on Super Bowl LVIII hero Mecole Hardman this week. Hardman has been on injured reserve since Week 14 with a knee injury suffered in practice, which required cleanup surgery.

Nov 10, 2024; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Mecole Hardman (17) returns a kick against the Denver Broncos during the game at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-Imagn Images / Denny Medley-Imagn Images

Former Georgia playmaker Mecole Hardman Jr. was working to be available this postseason for the Kansas City Chiefs.

The Kansas City Chiefs are going to have to continue their Super Bowl journey without one of their key players.

Chariah Gordon and Mecole Hardman are among the most beloved couples in Kansas City. The couple went viral in February 2023 when Gordon had a baby on Super Bowl day.

Just four teams remain in the NFL playoffs, and the No. 2 seeded Buffalo Bills will travel to Arrowhead Stadium to take on the top-seeded Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC championship game on Sunday at 6:30 p.m., with a trip to the Super Bowl on the line.

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