The Chiefs' best replacement for Tyreek Hill needed some help getting to the locker room Wednesday.
Mecole Hardman exited practice early and is being evaluated for a groin injury, NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reported Wednesday, per a source. The severity of the injury is unknown at this point, but Hardman being able to walk off before hopping on a cart to get to the building was a good sign, per Rapoport.
Hardman is Kansas City's best remaining speed threat at receiver after the Chiefs traded Hill to Miami in the offseason, and he'll be expected to take a bigger role in their offense in 2022. He's far from their only option, of course, with new additions Marquez Valdes-Scantling, JuJu Smith-Schuster and 2022 draft pick pick Skyy Moore also available. Former late-round pick Justin Watson also joined the Chiefs after four seasons spent with the Buccaneers, and has flashed the potential to make the team early in the preseason.
Still, Hardman is a key part of the Chiefs' offensive ambitions in 2022. They'll wait to see just how severe his groin injury is and hope his timeline to return isn't too long with just three weeks left before the regular season begins.
INJURIES
- Center Tyler Linderbaum is likely to return to practice and take part in individual drills on Friday, head coach John Harbaugh said Wednesday.
- C Bradley Bozeman suffered an ankle injury during Tuesday's practice and could miss two to three weeks, per head coach Matt Rhule.
- WR Robbie Anderson sat out practice on Wednesday due to a groin injury, per Rhule.
- WR CeeDee Lamb did not participate in practice Wednesday due to sustaining a cut foot and will not practice Thursday, either, Cowboys executive vice president Stephen Jones said.
- TE Andrew Ogletree suffered a torn ACL, effectively ending his season, NFL Network Insiders Tom Pelissero and Ian Rapoport reported Wednesday night. Ogletree went down at practice Wednesday with a non-contact knee injury, with head coach Frank Reich saying it "didn't look good."
- QB Matthew Stafford (elbow) told reporters Wednesday that he "felt good" a day after an intrasquad scrimmage where he participated in full. Stafford also said that while he's not sure whether his tendinitis will fully go away before the start of the season, he will play through any lingering soreness.
- OT James Hurst is dealing with a foot injury, head coach Dennis Allen said Wednesday.
- RB Kenneth Walker III underwent a procedure to repair a hernia -- not a sports hernia or core muscle injury -- and Walker is expected to make a full recovery and be ready for Week 1, NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reported Wednesday.
TRADES
ROSTER MOVES
- Released LB Jessie Lemonier.
- Signed WR KeeSean Johnson.
- Released WR Tyshaun James.
- Waived DL Bryce Rodgers via an injury settlement.
- Signed LB Josh Watson.
- Released TE Ryan Izzo.
- Signed CB Javaris Davis.
- Waived CB Bookie Radley-Hiles.
- Signed OT Wyatt Miller.
- Waived WR Travell Harris.
- Signed S De'Vante Cross.
- Released WR Malik Taylor.
- Claimed WR Travis Fulgham off waivers from the Broncos.
- Released DT Malcom Brown.
- Signed OLB Wyatt Ray.
- NT Johnathan Hankins passed his physical and was activated off of the physically unable to perform list.
- DB Trayvon Mullen passed his physical and was activated off of the PUP list.
- DE Bilal Nichols passed his physical and was activated off of the PUP list.
- WR Dillon Stoner passed his physical and was activated off of the PUP list.
- S Derwin James is signing a four-year, $76.5 million contract extension that averages $19.1 million per year and includes a $42 million signing bonus, NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reported Wednesday, per a source. The deal makes James the highest-paid safety in NFL history, per Rapoport.
- Claimed OT Derrick Kelly off waivers from the Jets.
- Waived LB T.D. Moultry with an injury settlement.
- Waived TE Briley Moore.
PRESEASON PARTICIPATION
- Quarterback Lamar Jackson will not play in Sunday's preseason game against the Arizona Cardinals, head coach John Harbaugh announced.
- OT La'el Collins was not at practice as he attends to a personal matter, head coach Zac Taylor said Wednesday. Taylor did not say when he expects Collins back, other than saying he expects him to be ready to go for Week 1.
- QB John Wolford will play the first half of Friday's game versus the Texans, with QB Bryce Perkins taking over for the second half, head coach Sean McVay said Wednesday.
- WR Julio Jones will not play in this week's preseason game against the Titans, per head coach Todd Bowles.
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