Looking to add some extra depth as injuries continue to mount, the Buffalo Bills signed WR Mecole Hardman to the practice squad on Tuesday. The veteran wideout comes to Buffalo after stops with the Kansas City Chiefs, New York Jets, and Green Bay Packers after being drafted by the Chiefs in 2019.
Hardman has had modest production during his career with most of his time spent in Kansas City, helping them win three Super Bowls. Unfortunately, injuries have limited Hardman more recently including some surprising injuries.
Read below for a full injury history and analysis of Mecole Hardman
Injury History
2019 Kansas City Chiefs
Glute injury, Week 15, missed 0 games.
Hardman appeared on the injury report with a glute injury which was most likely a contusion but did not miss any games.
2020 Chiefs
COVID, Week 10, missed 0 games.
Hardman was placed on the COVID/Reserve list during the Week 10 bye and did not miss any games.
2021 Chiefs
Oblique, Week 1, missed 0 games.
Hardman popped up on the injury report prior to Week 1 with an oblique designation and didn’t miss any games.
2022 Chiefs
Hamstring, May OTA’s.
Hardman picked up a hamstring injury during organized team activities in late May. It’s not clear how much time he missed after that.
Left groin spasm, preseason, missed 1 preseason game.
Hardman went down during a preseason practice, landing awkwardly on his left leg on August 17. It was later classified as a groin spasm and he appeared to return to practice on August 22 after missing the preseason game against the Washington Commanders.
Left Heel, Week 2, missed 0 games.
Hardman picked up a left heel injury when he was tackle midway through the third quarter in Week 2. He didn’t miss any time but noted how it felt at the time.
Abdomen/Osteitis Pubis, Week 9, placed on IR, missed 9 games.
Hardman finished his Week 9 game against the Tennessee Titans and began experiencing cramping in his abdomen that progressively intensified enough that this sent him to the hospital. He was diagnosed with osteitis pubis with symptoms so intense that he temporarily lost feeling in his legs and could not walk for four or five days, according to Hardman.
The team at the time called it a setback and he was placed on injured reserve.
Groin tear, AFC Championship, missed Super Bowl.
Hardman returned for the AFC Championship game after coming off injured reserve and tore his groin muscle, later undergoing a core muscle repair in the offseason.
2023 Chiefs/New York Jets
Right Thumb sprain, Week 11, placed on IR required surgery, missed 5 games.
After being traded back from the Jets after signing with them in the offseason as a free agent, Hardman suffered a thumb sprain significant enough that it required surgery. He was placed on injured reserve while he recovered. He was able to return and play through the playoffs as the Chiefs won the Super Bowl.
2024 Chiefs
Knee, Week 4, missed 0 games.
Hardman picked up a knee injury in Week 4 that led to an appearance on the injury report for Week 5.
Shoulder/Knee, Week 9, missed 0 games.
Hardman injured his shoulder on a punt return against Tampa Bay.
Shoulder/Toe, Week 10, missed 0 games.
Left Knee, practice prior to Week 14, went to IR, missed 8 games.
Hardman’s knee locked up on him prior to practice which ultimately required him to be shut down and undergo surgery. He was activated on January 1 to practice but did not return, ending his season.
2025 Green Bay Packers
No publicly reported injuries while on practice squad.
Buffalo Bills Injury Analysis
A quick Google search really undersold what Hardman had been through, especially the last three seasons.
None of the injuries prior to 2022 are notable and are simply part of football. Once 2022 began, things started getting rough for him. Frankly, I was shocked about how his osteitis pubis played out with the hospitalization and inability to walk for several days. I had never encountered something so significant that derailed his season. It’s incredible he was able to return at all before tearing his groin leading to a core muscle repair which many players undergo and respond favorably.
There aren’t many details on his thumb sprain that required surgery, but he was able to catch 11 passes between the playoffs and final regular game of the season indicating that he was mostly healed from the injury.
Last year saw him deal with multiple injuries including the knee surgery which appeared to be a meniscus issue considering how it was described as his knee locked up on him. They likely trimmed the offending tissue out but he was either not needed or wasn’t ready to go for the playoffs.
Looking at everything as a whole, he’s only 27 years old but his body has seen a lot of football. He was able to pass a physical which means he’s healthy enough to play, but he hasn’t played a meaningful snap in months since his release from Green Bay in September. He did spend the preseason with them but the team even said it will take some time for him to get ramped up as he hasn’t played in a while.
He specializes in punt returns which could help create a spark for Buffalo’s special teams and add a new element down the stretch.
Considering he’s a practice squad player, it’s smart to get him in the room now and have him be ready both mentally and physically when he’s called upon. The injuries over the last several years are noteworthy and somewhat concerning, but as long as he’s not thrust into a heavy role immediately, he should be able to acclimate to Buffalo and hopefully help in the playoffs.
I would like to welcome Mecole Hardman to Buffalo and to remain healthy the remainder of the season.
Top Photo Credit: Perry Knotts via Getty Images
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