Unavailable for many of his Giants keep and a part of his first season with the Chiefs, Kadarius Toney has managed to remain wholesome this yr. That has, nonetheless, not translated to the game-breaking performs the Chiefs sought upon buying and selling third- and sixth-round picks to accumulate him. As a substitute, Toney has turn into the face of the crew’s extensive receiver drawback.
The third-year participant’s essential offside infraction in opposition to the Payments preceded a Patriots recreation that featured a drop that led to an interception. The Chiefs considered Toney as a potential No. 1 receiver this offseason, however the shifty ex-first-rounder has solely caught 27 passes for 169 yards and a landing this yr.
With the Chiefs’ choices restricted at extensive receiver resulting from accidents and an offseason that featured a few upgrade efforts fail to cross the purpose line, they’re unlikely to take away Toney from a daily position on offense. Toney ought to be anticipated to stay a part of the receiver rotation, ESPN.com’s Jeremy Fowler notes.
Kansas Metropolis’s receiver troubles prolong past Toney. Skyy Moore, whom the crew placed on IR this week and Marquez Valdes-Scantling have made essential errors. Whereas JuJu Smith-Schuster has underwhelmed in New England, his departure – after a 933-yard 2022 season – has been noticeable in Kansas Metropolis. The crew will proceed to rely upon second-rounder Rashee Rice‘s improvement, because the SMU product holds a large yardage lead (754) amongst Chiefs wideouts.
The defending Tremendous Bowl champions could have an alternative choice accessible quickly. They designated Mecole Hardman for return Thursday, KPRC2’s Aaron Wilson passes along. Kansas Metropolis reacquired Hardman in October, bringing him again after a couple of uneventful months in New York. Hardman contributed as a returner and receiver from 2019-22, although an harm saved him out of Tremendous Bowl LVII, and would qualify as an auxiliary Patrick Mahomes goal in a time of want. Hardman, 25, suffered a sprained thumb in opposition to the Eagles final month.
That mentioned, Hardman has been sluggish to re-acclimate in Missouri. Though he caught only one go with the Jets, the previous second-round decide has simply eight catches for 41 yards since rejoining the Chiefs. Hardman additionally fumbled a punt return throughout a loss to the Broncos. With Moore on IR and Toney unreliable, it might not shock to see the crew reintegrate Hardman quickly as soon as he’s activated. The Chiefs, who’ve six IR activations remaining, have 21 days to maneuver Hardman again to the lively roster.