KC Chiefs’ Mecole Hardman has 2 catches in 2 weeks. Here’s what’s holding him back most

Kansas City Chiefs receiver Mecole Hardman says he feels fortunate. This could’ve been a lot worse.

He’s watched replays of the moment when he injured his heel against the Los Angeles Chargers in Week 2 ... and well, it wasn’t pretty.

“I didn’t know it looked that bad, honestly, until I watched the film. It looked crazy watching it,” Hardman said Thursday. “But luckily, it was just the heel. It’s definitely an injury that you can play through, so happy it was just that.”

That’s the good news for Hardman, who has played 43 and 37 snaps for the Chiefs in the last two games while working through the ailment.

The bad news? He doesn’t feel like himself yet, which has been the most significant factor in his limited receiving numbers over the past two weeks.

“It’s like more of a ‘You can’t do everything you want to do’ type thing. It’s definitely a pain tolerance that you can tolerate, as far as cutting or going for speed or even stopping,” Hardman said. “But it’s just something you’ve just got to work at and treat daily to get back right. So it’s nothing too crazy.”

Without knowing the backstory, it’d be much easier to criticize Hardman for lack of production after he entered this season with high expectations following the Chiefs’ trade of Tyreek Hill.

So far, Hardman has eight catches for 71 yards and a touchdown. Those stats have fallen off significantly since he was hurt, as he’s combined to grab two catches for 6 yards in the last two weeks.

When asked about Hardman on Thursday, Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes said he believed better days were ahead.

“I think you saw in the first few weeks, he was having some good plays and making some stuff happen. He got a little banged up, and he hasn’t had that same production these last two,” Mahomes said. “But I think as he gets more and more healthy, he’ll continue to be involved in this offense. He’s got special talent, special speed.”

Because Hardman has never had this injury before, he’s unsure how long it will linger. He’s continued to get it treated, though, and spoke Thursday about it being three weeks since he went down in the Chargers game.

“I’m close to being out of the training room,” Hardman said, “and being back to 100%.”

Hardman has remained a considerable part of the Chiefs offense over the last two weeks, logging 68% of the team’s plays against the Colts and 46% vs. the Buccaneers.

The personal timing of his heel issue couldn’t be much worse. The 24-year-old Hardman is in the last year of his rookie deal, meaning he’ll be an unrestricted free agent after this season.

Hardman said Thursday his contract situation hadn’t weighed on him in 2022.

“I’m just letting the play speak for itself,” Hardman said. “Just make some plays here and there, and whenever your number’s called, take advantage of it. And then that (the contract) will take care of itself.”

There’s still plenty of season left to show his skills. Hardman’s best production with the Chiefs came a year ago, as he posted career-highs in catches (59) and receiving yards (693).

And while Hardman says the Chiefs’ 3-1 start still means his season is “going good,” he admits he’s ready to feel better when playing.

“Just trying to get healthy, man,” Hardman said, “and just doing what I can do to help the team the best way I can.”