KANSAS CITY, Mo. — A sore abdomen will keep wide receiver Mecole Hardman on the sidelines for the Chiefs when they host Jacksonville on Sunday, marking the first game he’s missed in his NFL career.
Before the release of Friday’s injury report, head coach Andy Reid called it “a stretch” for Hardman to take the field against the Jaguars.
“The abdomen is still bothering him,” Reid said. “We’ll just see how he does here over the next few days.”
Hardman has been an active contributor in the team’s four three games, catching 17 passes for 226 yards. He’s also reached the end zone five times in his last three contests.
With Hardman out, the Chiefs will turn to newcomer Kadarius Toney and rookie Skyy Moore to pick up the slack. Hardman has averaged 38 snaps per game this season while Toney played nine snaps in his debut against the Titans and Moore played 26. Hardman also stepped into the punt return role against the Titans, which means Moore could slide back in that role. Toney and cornerback Trent McDuffie are also potential options.
“We did add a couple more (plays) in for Toney, so we’ll just see how that part goes,” Reid said. “Then we’ve got the other guys. Skyy can jump in and play the different spots, we should be OK.”
The only other player with a game-day injury designation is running back Jerick McKinnon, who has been dealing with shoulder and knee issues. On Friday he was downgraded to limited with a hamstring injury and is questionable for Sunday.
Other than Hardman and McKinnon the Chiefs appear in good health heading into this weekend’s contest. Cornerback L’Jarius Sneed was limited on Thursday with a knee issue but returned to a normal workload on Friday.
“He practiced today, he’s good,” Reid said.
With the Chiefs coming off a Sunday contest in which the offense ran 91 official plays and lined up for more than 80 passing, Reid conducted his usual midseason practice routine this week including a light workout on Wednesday. He said the team seemed to respond well in its recovery from Sunday’s game.
“There were all hyped up today,” Reid said. “It’s a lively group anyways, I think they enjoy being around each other and working, and that’s how it was today.”
Chiefs injury report
OUT: WR Mecole Hardman
DOUBTFUL: None
QUESTIONABLE: RB Jerick McKinnon
Did not participate: WR Mecole Hardman (abdomen)
Limited participation: RB Jerick McKinnon (shoulder/knee/hamstring)
Full participation: TE Travis Kelce (neck), TE Jody Fortson (quad), CB L’Jarius Sneed (knee), DT Derrick Nnadi (achilles) and S Deon Bush (knee)
