Mecole Hardman Jr. - NFL News, Rumors, & Updates

Sticking with Bills Buffalo signed Hardman to a reserve/future contract Monday.

Impact Hardman more than earned a reserve/future deal with the Bills during Saturday's 33-30 divisional-round overtime loss to Denver, in which he turned his only catch into a four-yard touchdown (two targets). That score, Hardman's first catch since the 2024 campaign, appeared identical to the walk-off touchdown he logged in Super Bowl LVIII to secure an overtime win for the Chiefs. Hardman also appeared in two-regular season games for Buffalo in 2025, though in that span he failed to secure his only target. His added opportunities versus the Broncos came with all of Joshua Palmer (ankle), Tyrell Shavers (ACL) and Gabe Davis (ACL) having been placed on IR the week prior. Now, Hardman will get a chance to compete for a depth role this offseason.

1 DAY AGO • ROTOWIRE

What's Next: Where Do the Bills Go From Here After Firing Sean McDermott?

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1 DAY AGO • FOX SPORTS

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Bills' Mecole Hardman touchdown is identical to Chiefs' Super Bowl-winning play | Sporting News We have seen this one before.

2 DAYS AGO • SPORTINGNEWS.COM

Josh Allen with a 4-yard touchdown pass to Mecole Hardman! | Bills vs. Broncos Highlights Josh Allen with a 4-yard touchdown pass to Mecole Hardman vs. Denver Broncos, 01/17/2026

2 DAYS AGO • BUFFALOBILLS.COM

Why Mecole Hardman is playing for Bills in playoffs after leaving Chiefs | Sporting News This is a fascinating career path.

3 DAYS AGO • SPORTINGNEWS.COM

Elevated for divisional round Hardman was elevated from the Bills' practice squad Friday.

Impact Hardman figures to be active for Saturday's divisional-round contest against the Broncos after the team recently lost all three of Joshua Palmer (ankle), Tyrell Shavers (knee) and Gabe Davis (knee) to season-ending injuries. Hardman would likely see most of his action on special teams as a returner.

4 DAYS AGO • ROTOWIRE

Bills receiver depth thinned to 3 in preparing to play Broncos after Shavers tears knee ligament

The Buffalo Bills are down a second receiver in two days after coach Sean McDermott revealed Tyrell Shavers is out after tearing a knee ligament

JANUARY 13 • Associated Press

Back with Buffalo Hardman signed with the Bills' practice squad Tuesday.

Impact Buffalo cut Hardman over the weekend after appearing in a pair of games with the Bills. He failed to secure his lone target in the passing game and returned one kickoff for 61 yards and a pair of punts for four yards.

DECEMBER 30, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Dropped by Buffalo Hardman was waived by the Bills on Saturday.

Impact Hardman was picked up by the Bills in early November and appeared in just two games prior to being waived, recording 61 kick-return yards and four punt-return yards. Now a free agent, the 2019 second-round pick from Georgia could catch on with a team in need of a return man.

DECEMBER 27, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Cleared to play Week 16 Hardman (calf) is active for Sunday's game against the Browns.

Impact Hardman was activated from injured reserve Saturday and has been officially cleared to return from a four-game absence due to a calf injury. The veteran wide receiver is unlikely to be involved on offense but could contribute on special teams as a returner on punts and kickoffs.

DECEMBER 21, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Activated from IR, still Q The Bills activated Hardman (calf) from injured reserve Saturday, and he remains questionable for Sunday's game against the Browns.

Impact Hardman is now eligible to play Week 16, but the final word on his status may not arrive until roughly 90 minutes prior to Sunday's 1:00 p.m. ET kickoff. If cleared to suit up versus Cleveland, expect Hardman to handle a depth role at wide receiver and in the return game.

DECEMBER 20, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Buffalo Bills elevate wide receiver Mecole Hardman Jr. to active roster, elevate K Michael Badgley and DE Andre Jones Jr. The veteran wide receiver is off Injured Reserve and back on the 53-man roster

DECEMBER 20, 2025 • BUFFALOBILLS.COM

Could return Sunday Hardman (calf) is listed as questionable ahead of Sunday's matchup against the Browns.

Impact Hardman returned to practice this week and logged full sessions Thursday and Friday, suggesting he's trending in the right direction ahead of Sunday's contest. However, he must still be added to the Bills' active roster in order to suit up in Week 16. If the 27-year-old remains sidelined Sunday, expect Khalil Shakir to handle Buffalo's punt-return duties.

DECEMBER 19, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Practice window opens Hardman (calf) was designated to return from the injured reserve list Wednesday, Maddy Glab of the Bills' official site reports.

Impact The veteran wideout from Georgia has been sidelined for the Bills' last four games after sustaining a calf injury in the Week 11 win over the Buccaneers, but it now appears he's nearing a return. Hardman will likely contribute as one of Buffalo's top kick and punt returners once fully healthy, though he must still be activated to the team's active roster in order to suit up for the Week 16 matchup against the Browns.

DECEMBER 17, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Nearing return to practice Hardman (calf) could have his practice window opened this week, Chris Brown of the Bills Radio Network reports.

Impact Hardman has been on injured reserve since Nov. 20, and he's now eligible to return to practice. Head coach Sean McDermott said Monday that he has yet to decide if the wide receiver's 21-day practice window will be initiated this week. Once active, Hardman will likely operate primarily as a special-teams option for Buffalo.

DECEMBER 16, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Bills provide QB Josh Allen another veteran option by signing receiver Brandin Cooks

The Buffalo Bills provided Josh Allen and their inconsistent passing attack yet another veteran option by signing free agent wide receiver Brandin Cooks

NOVEMBER 25, 2025 • Associated Press

Mecole Hardman could still be the answer to Bills' return problems Before his injury, Mecole Hardman hinted at untapped value for a Bills team searching for any edge in a crowded AFC race.

NOVEMBER 21, 2025 • ARROWHEADADDICT.COM

Bills bench WR Keon Coleman for 2nd straight game after he was late for meeting last week

Buffalo receiver Keon Coleman was a healthy scratch for Thursday night's game against the Houston Texans

NOVEMBER 21, 2025 • Associated Press

Bills place Mecole Hardman on IR and elevate fellow WR Gabe Davis for game at Texans

The Bills have placed receiver Mecole Hardman on injured reserve

NOVEMBER 20, 2025 • Associated Press

New Buffalo Bills wide receiver lands on injured reserve after just one game | Sporting News The Buffalo Bills have placed wide receiver Mecole Hardman on injured reserve after he played in just one game since joining the team.

NOVEMBER 20, 2025 • SPORTINGNEWS.COM

Lands on IR Hardman (calf) was placed on IR by the Bills on Thursday.

Impact Hardman is thus slated to miss at least four games, meaning that he won't play again before Dec. 14 against the Patriots. His looming absence represents both a hit to Buffalo's depth at wideout as well as the team's return game, but at this stage Hardman is well off the fantasy lineup radar.

NOVEMBER 20, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Out for Week 12 Hardman (calf) has been ruled out ahead of Thursday's matchup against the Texans.

Impact The Georgia product made his 2025 debut in Buffalo's Week 11 win over the Buccaneers, recording 61 kick-return yards while playing 11 total snaps (seven on special teams, four on offense). However, he was unable to practice all week due to a calf injury and is now in line to miss Thursday night's contest. While Hardman is out in Week 12, expect Ty Johnson and Ray Davis to serve as the Bills' top kick returners.

NOVEMBER 19, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Remains DNP on Tuesday Hardman (calf) will not practice Tuesday, Joe Buscaglia of The Athletic reports.

Impact If Hardman is unable to play Thursday night against the Texans, Ray Davis would be a candidate to handle returner duties after he returned four kickoffs for 158 yards in Sunday's win over the Bucs.

NOVEMBER 18, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Estimated as DNP on Monday Hardman (calf) was listed as a non-participant on Monday's estimated practice report, Alaina Getzenberg of ESPN.com reports.

Impact The Bills held a walkthrough Monday after beating the Bucs on Sunday. In his first game with the team Sunday, Hardman played four offensive snaps and seven on special teams. He failed to catch his lone target and returned one kickoff for 61 yards and fumbled his lone punt-return opportunity.

NOVEMBER 17, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Bills Patience Running Out on WR Keon Coleman after 3rd Benching in 2 Years

The clock may be ticking on Keon Coleman's time in Buffalo after the Bills' second-year wide receiver was disciplined for a third time for b...

NOVEMBER 17, 2025 • FOX SPORTS

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