Could Chiefs get Jaylen Watson, Mecole Hardman back? And who starts at left tackle?

Two Chiefs players who have missed several games with injuries are pointed toward returning for the playoffs.

Cornerback Jaylen Watson and wide receiver Mecole Hardman practiced on Tuesday ahead of the Chiefs’ AFC Divisional Round home game against the Houston Texans. The game kicks off Saturday at 3:30 p.m.

When Watson broke his fibula in Week 7 against the San Francisco 49ers, it was feared to be a season-ending injury. Joshua Williams and Nazeeh Johnson have rotated as the second cornerback.

Andy Reid sounded optimistic about Watson on Tuesday.

“I kind of want to see this week and see how he does, but what I’ve seen so far, it’s been good,” Reid said. “He’s been in good shape. I’m not telling you he can play a whole game, but I think he has a chance of playing. We’ll see.”

Cornerback Trent McDuffie said he likes what he’s seen from Watson.

“I think he’s doing really well,” McDuffie said. “I think he’s able to move around very well. You can tell that he’s still retained the information. He’s going out there, and it doesn’t really look like he’s coming off of injury. He’s still going to have to get his football shape back, but as far as everything I’ve seen, he’s looking really good. And I think he’s done a great job with his recovery and getting back right.”

Hardman spent four weeks on injured reserve recovering from a knee injury. He has 12 receptions for 90 yards this season and has served as the team’s primary return specialist, averaging 26.4 yards on kickoff returns and 10.2 yards on punt returns.

Nikko Remigio has handled those duties since being elevated from the practice squad.

Hardman was listed as a limited practice participant on Tuesday’s injury report. Watson was a full participant.

Reid also said that he hasn’t made a decision on who would start at left tackle between D.J. Humphries and Joe Thuney.

Humphries, acquired in December after sitting out the season recovering from a torn ACL, has started two games.

Thuney, who starts at left guard, was kicked out to tackle for three games after Humphries suffered a hamstring injury in his first game with the Chiefs. Mike Caliendo filled in at left guard.

“I’m gonna see how it goes this week,” Reid said. “We’ll rotate them so it gives us some flexibility there, but I was happy with what Joe and Mike did in there. But I also liked what D.J. did in some of those snaps that he had, there weren’t a lot of them, but the snaps that he had against Denver.”