Getty
Chiefs Kingdom had yet another injury scare at training camp when wide receiver Mecole Hardman was carted out of practice on August 17.
The speedster did walk off the field under his own power, taking the passenger seat of a cart back to the Chiefs’ facility, as defensive tackle Chris Jones did earlier in practice. It was revealed later that the “limping” Hardman had suffered a groin injury, per NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport.
Groins can typically be a tricky area in recovery, but the Chiefs got some good news on August 18.
ALL the latest Chiefs news straight to your inbox! Join the Heavy on Chiefs newsletter here!
Hardman’s Injury ‘Not Serious’
NFL insider Jordan Schultz had the scoop on Hardman: “Great news regarding injured Chiefs’ WR Mecole Hardman: Source says it’s not serious — he suffered a ‘groin injury and is doing okay.’ Hardman left practice yesterday after landing awkwardly trying to catch a pass.”
Great news regarding injured #Chiefs’ WR Mecole Hardman: Source says it’s not serious — he suffered a “groin injury and is doing okay.” Hardman left practice yesterday after landing awkwardly trying to catch a pass.
Once again, it appears that KC has dodged a bullet on the injury front. There have been similar nervous moments with Patrick Mahomes II and Skyy Moore, among others — although Hardman’s issue could be slightly more preventative than those two injury scares.
While Mahomes and Moore returned to practice on the day of or the day after their injuries, Hardman was absent on August 18. The KC Star’s Herbie Teope listed the missing players during a lighter practice ahead of Saturday’s second preseason game.
Chiefs last day of practice at training camp set to begin. Players in shells.
Don’t see WR JuJu Smith-Schuster (knee), WR Mecole Hardman (groin), DT Chris Jones (back), TE Blake Bell (hip) out here.
“Don’t see WR JuJu Smith-Schuster (knee), WR Mecole Hardman (groin), DT Chris Jones (back), TE Blake Bell (hip) out here,” Teope tweeted.
Of the four, Bell’s ailment is the most worrisome. The tight end has not practiced since the outing in Chicago after what head coach Andy Reid referred to as an “unusual injury.” There doesn’t seem to be too much concern surrounding Smith-Schuster and Jones, who are both dealing with soreness in their respective body parts.
UPDATE on Smith-Schuster: Per Pete Sweeney of Arrowhead Pride, “as JuJu Smith-Schuster walked down the hill as part of military day, a fan asked him how his knee was. ‘It’s getting better,’ said Smith-Schuster.”
As JuJu Smith-Schuster walked down the hill as part of military day, a fan asked him how his knee was. “It’s getting better,” said Smith-Schuster.
Follow the Heavy on Chiefs Facebook page, where you can weigh in on all the latest KC-related daily content, analysis, features and more!
Could Be Open Reps at WR on Saturday
With Hardman and Smith-Schuster banged up — and virtual locks to make the Week 1 roster — the likelihood is that both could get the game off against Washington on August 20. Even if they do make an appearance, it would be surprising if either plays a large number of snaps.
That means a huge opportunity will be on the table for other wideouts competing for roster spots. Potentially, that could even include invaluable first-team reps with Mahomes.
Marquez Valdes-Scantling and Moore still headline the remaining pass catchers, but Justin Watson, Daurice Fountain, Cornell Powell, Josh Gordon, Corey Coleman, Aaron Parker and RB-hybrid Jerrion Ealy should all be in the mix with five more roster cuts looming on August 23.
Watson and Fountain appear to have a leg up on the competition due to their dual ability as core special teamers. For a struggling vet like Gordon or a lesser-known name like Parker, Saturday could be the final opportunity to flip the script.
Mahomes Hits ‘MVS’ Deep at Practice
Meanwhile, things went on without a hitch at practice August 18 as Mahomes aired one out to Valdes-Scantling for a long touchdown reception. KC Sports Network provided the video.
Mahomes to MVS
KC Sports Network also shared another clip of Mahomes slinging the ball to Moore.
Mahomes to Skyy Moore
In case you were wondering, it’s still clear who the Chiefs’ starting wide receivers are.
Comments
NFL Insider Provides Injury Update on Chiefs WR Mecole Hardman