Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Mecole Hardman popped up on Thursday’s Week 5 injury report as a limited participant due to a knee injury. The Chiefs host the New Orleans Saints on “Monday Night Football.”
On Friday, the Chiefs announced Hardman would not practice, putting his status for the game in question. The problem for Kansas City is that Hardman is the only player who has registered a punt return this season. He has also lined up as a kick returner 19 times, taking three back.
Chiefs special teams coordinator Dave Toub disclosed potential replacements if Hardman cannot play.
“We have a number of guys that can do it, obviously,” said Toub. “Nikko [Remigio] can do it. [Montrell] Washington could do it. Any of those two guys could possibly pop up if Mecole was down, and then we have other guys in the mix. [Xavier] Worthy [could] be a punt returner. Skyy Moore. We have a lot of guys; we have a lot of options there.”
Considering the growing injury list, it remains far-fetched that head coach Andy Reid would risk using Worthy as a returner.
Remigio or Washington would likely be practice-squad elevations, should one of them be the choice. Ahead of the initial roster cutdown, Toub mentioned “pounding the table” for Remigio to make the roster. Washington returned eight punts for the Chiefs during the 2023 season.
Poll
Who do you want to see return punts if Hardman can’t go?
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Mecole Hardman
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Skyy Moore
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Nikko Remigio
(0 votes)0%
Xavier Worthy
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Someone else
(0 votes)