Mecole Hardman Injury: Impending Free-Agent WR Should Return For OTAs After Surgery

Former Chiefs' 24-year-old speedster receiver Mecole Hardman reportedly underwent a successful groin surgery on Tuesday morning to repair an injury that plagued him for the entire 2022-23 season. 

Hardman's core muscle surgery shouldn't impact his upcoming free agency, according to the Pro Football Docs, and he can be expected to fully heal in three months with an SIC score of 94 just in time for OTAs in late-May. 

Hardman first suffered a core muscle injury during training camp on August 17 but returned in time for Week 1. 

In the first eight games, Hardman caught 25 of 34 targets for 297 yards and four scores with another four rushes for two touchdowns but aggravated the injury in Week 9 and missed the next 10 games.

The dual-threat weapon made it back for the AFC Championship after a late-season setback but reportedly aggravated the pelvic strain again on his second catch of the day in the third quarter.

Hardman will be a free agent this offseason after two titles in four years in Kansas City, joining thrice-concussed former teammate Juju Smith-Schuster, 30-year-old Odell Beckham Jr. and his twice-surgically-repaired knee, Michael Thomas, Jakobi Myers, and DJ Chark Jr.