Chiefs WR Mecole Hardman started Friday night's preseason finally with Tyreek Hill in a 2-WR package. He would go on to play 9 of Patrick Mahomes' 15 snaps, according to Pro Football Focus, vs. 14 for Hill and 11 for Demarcus Robinson. Byron Pringle was the only other WR to see 1st-team work, but he played just 1 snap. We'll take that level of involvement for Hardman. It would be nice to have him as the clear 2nd wideout ahead of Robinson, but even splitting that role while clearly working among the top 3 should present enough playing time to help Hardman approach his high weekly fantasy ceiling. He's a risk-reward pick in the middle rounds of your fantasy football draft. Robinson is well worth a look near the end of drafts. Pringle looks like he'll need an injury ahead of him to make him relevant.

The Athletic's Nate Taylor believes Mecole Hardman will open the season as the Chiefs' #2 WR -- behind JuJu Smith-Schuster but ahead of Marquez Valdes-Scantling and Skyy Moore. "Because he’s the fastest in the group and has been in the Chiefs’ system the longest," Taylor writes. We'll be keeping a close eye on the route and target counts in this group early in the season. But Smith-Schuster will be the only reliable Week 1 fantasy starter.

Chiefs WR Mecole Hardman played in Thursday night's preseason finale. He suffered a groin injury in practice a little over a week ago but is obviously over it now. Hardman looks like the favorite to open the season as Kansas City's #3 WR. We'll see how long he can hold off rookie Skyy Moore.

Chiefs HC Andy Reid said Thursday that WR Mecole Hardman was knocked out of Wednesday's practice with a groin spasm. Hardman is "making progress," according to Reid, and might even be able to play in Saturday's preseason game vs. the Commanders. It doesn't sound like the groin will be an issue by the time Week 1 rolls around.

Chiefs WR Mecole Hardman suffered an apparent left leg injury in Wednesday’s practice, per beat writer Nate Taylor. He limped off the field for evaluation. We’ll pass along an update when it’s available.

UPDATE: Per NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, Hardman's injury is to his groin.

Per NFL insider Albert Breer, the Chiefs have seen a “more mature version” of WR Mecole Hardman this offseason. Breer writes that Hardman “had a lot of growing up to do coming into the NFL,” even beyond his rookie season. It’s a huge year for the 24-year-old, as his contract is set to expire in 2023. But following the additions of Skyy Moore, Marquez Valdes-Scantling and JuJu Smith-Schuster, it’s clear that Kansas City isn’t expecting a major leap from the incumbent.