The Kansas City Chiefs will face the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday in a rematch of last year’s AFC Championship Game, and a win will put them into the Super Bowl for the third time in the last four seasons.
While superstar quarterback Patrick Mahomes is dealing with a sprained ankle he sustained last weekend in Kansas City’s win over the Jacksonville Jaguars in the divisional round, the team could get back one of its wide receivers, as Mecole Hardman has been upgraded to questionable for Sunday’s title game.
After a third day as a limited participant, #Chiefs list Mecole Hardman (pelvis) as questionable for Sunday’s AFC championship. Last played November 6
— Aaron Ladd (@aaronladd0) January 27, 2023
With star wide receiver Tyreek Hill now playing for the Miami Dolphins, the Chiefs relied on production by committee from their wideouts this season in order to fill his void.
While JuJu Smith-Schuster and Marquez Valdes-Scantling have been their first and second options, respectively, at that position, Hardman helped fill in the blanks as perhaps the team’s third option.
In eight games during the regular season, he put up 297 yards and four touchdowns.
Hardman suffered a pelvic injury in early November and hasn’t played since, although he was reactivated a few weeks ago.
There is an additional concern for the Chiefs, as tight end Travis Kelce, their top offensive weapon, has been listed as questionable for Sunday’s contest with a back issue.
#Chiefs TE Travis Kelce fully participated in practice today, but he was added to the injury report with a back issue and is listed as questionable for Sunday’s AFC Championship Game against the #Bengals.
QB Patrick Mahomes (ankle) has no designation and is good to go.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) January 27, 2023
If he somehow ends up missing the AFC Championship Game on Sunday, the Chiefs will be at a major disadvantage.
As it currently stands, many are picking the Bengals to win, but one must never count out Mahomes because of the magic he always seems to pull off.
