Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Mecole Hardman, out with a knee injury since early December, will not be activated off injured reserve and is out for the season, coach Andy Reid told reporters on Wednesday.

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

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.

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

"Hardman returned to practice this month, but head coach Andy Reid told reporters at a Wednesday press conference that Hardman will not be activated from injured reserve before the end of the team’s season. Hardman had 12 catches for 90 yards in 12 appearances for the team this season."

Chariah Gordon, fiancée of Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Mecole Hardman Jr., shared a celebratory Instagram Stories post following the team’s playoff victory over the Houston Texans. The Chiefs secured their spot in the AFC Championship Game for the seventh consecutive season with a 23-14 win over the Texans.

The Chiefs are coming up on the deadline to activate receiver/returner Mecole Hardman off of injured reserve. But head coach Andy Reid said in his Monday video conference that Kansas City hasn’t decided whether or not Hardman will be brought back to the 53-man roster.