There’s a brand new wrinkle within the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs’ plans surrounding the return of WR Mecole Hardman.
Hardman wasn’t noticed at observe on Thursday in the course of the portion of observe open to the media according to multiple reporters in attendance. Earlier within the observe week, Chiefs HC Andy Reid spoke on Hardman’s standing and why they didn’t convey him again for Week 16.
“So, because the week went on, he received a bit drained and sore,” Reid mentioned of Hardman. “I feel that was good. He labored his method via what he wanted to get via. Now it’s a matter of getting him in a sport. I presume, except there’s a setback, I presume he’ll be there. That’s the place we’re at proper now.”
The Chiefs won’t present an official replace on Hardman with their damage report as they’re not required to report on gamers who usually are not presently on the lively roster. Hardman has been designated to return, opening up his 21-day observe window, however he hasn’t but been activated to the 53-man roster. The staff has till Wednesday, Jan. 4 to activate him to the roster. If he’s not activated by that time, he’ll stay on injured reserve for the remainder of the season and postseason.
Might Hardman be coping with the identical tiredness and soreness that he did final week or may he have suffered a setback? Eric Bieniemy weighed in on Hardman’s impending return forward of observe on Thursday.
“The largest factor with Mecole (Hardman) is ensuring that he’s getting again into the groove,” Bieniemy mentioned. “Clearly, with him taking part in observe, we’re not going to hurry issues. We’ve simply received to verify he’s good. And on high of that, we’ve received to get him again in sport form and ensuring that he can deal with the mandatory quantity of workload that we need to give him. So, we’re excited. Clearly, he’s accomplished a heck of a job. We’ll simply hold it transferring from there and take it daily.”
Bieniemy added that it’s about discovering a steadiness between the coaching workers and training workers and doing sufficient to ensure that Hardman is again and wholesome.
It’s value noting, this observe absence won’t be injury-related in any respect. Hardman’s girlfriend, Chariah Gordon, is pregnant. It’s potential that this was a private day associated to the being pregnant or in any other case.
We gained’t know for sure what the absence means for Hardman’s standing in Week 17 till Andy Reid speaks with the media on Friday. For now, there’s a minimum of some doubt that his return will happen this week.