THE Kansas City Chiefs will be without a hero of Super Bowl LVIII for the remainder of the season.
Patrick Mahomes and company are chasing a historic threepeat this season.
GettyPatrick Mahomes will be without one of his downfield threats on Sunday[/caption]
GettyMecole Hardman will miss the remainder of the Kansas City Chiefs season[/caption]
GettyHardman caught the winning touchdown at Super Bowl LVIII[/caption]
No team in the history of the modern-day NFL has managed to win three consecutive Lombardi trophies.
The Chiefs take on the Buffalo Bills in the AFC Championship Game on Sunday.
But Mecole Hardman will not be among the Kansas City stars suiting up for the contest.
Hardman has been ruled out for the remainder of the 2024/25 season with a knee injury.
The 26-year-old wideout has endured an injury-hit campaign after catching the winning touchdown in last year’s Super Bowl.
Hardman reeled in a perfect pass from Mahomes to ice the game in overtime against the San Francisco 49ers in Las Vegas.
“I ain’t gonna lie man. I caught that pass and I blacked out,” Hardman told CBS Sports after the 25-22 win.
“I didn’t know what was going on until I saw Pat running to me, and I’m like, ‘Oh we just won, okay yeah let’s celebrate.’”
Should the Chiefs reach a third-straight showpiece, Hardman will be forced to watch from the stands.
The former Georgia star hit injured reserve back in November.
Despite returning to light training earlier this month, coach Andy Reid has confirmed the receiver will not be activated in the 21-day window.
“Yeah, we’ll probably put him back on IR there,” Reid said on Wednesday.
Hardman appeared in 12 games for the 15-2 Chiefs before suffering the knee issue in Week 14.
He ends the campaign with 12 receptions for 90 yards and five rushes for 62 yards and a touchdown.
Conference championship schedule
NFC Championship Game
Washington Commanders at Philadelphia Eagles (Fox)
Sunday 26 January, 3 pm ET
AFC Championship Game
Buffalo Bills at Kansas City Chiefs (CBS)
Sunday 26 January, 6.30 pm ET
The Chiefs head into Sunday’s showdown with the Bills with Xavier Worthy, Hollywood Brown, JuJu Smith-Schuster, DeAndre Hopkins, and Justin Watson at receiver.
Mahomes has been named on the injury report with his own troublesome ankle injury.
But the 29-year-old quarterback will suit up against the Bills, barring a late setback.
He practised fully on Wednesday, alongside Mike Caliendo (shoulder), Jawaan Taylor (knee), and Jaylen Watson (ankle).
https://www.the-sun.com/sport/13361451/chiefs-mecole-hardman-out-mahomes-super-bowls/