Chiefs coach Reid says he anticipates Mecole Hardman’s stay on IR will be ‘short-term’

Chiefs wide receiver Mecole Hardman was placed on injured reserve Thursday because of an abdominal issue, meaning he must sit out at least four games. But on Friday his head coach said he’ll likely be back in action this season.

That would be good news for both the Chiefs and Hardman, who thus far has accounted for 297 yards and four touchdowns on 25 catches, plus 31 yards and two touchdowns on four carries. Before being injured, Hardman had scored touchdowns in three straight games.

“I think it will probably end up being short-term, but we’ll just see how he feels going down the road here,” Chiefs coach Andy Reid said.

“Right now, I’d probably tell you short-term.”

Hardman will definitely be sidelined for Sunday night’s road game against the Los Angeles Chargers, followed by matchups against the Los Angeles Rams, Cincinnati Bengals and Denver Broncos. Hardman could be back as soon as Week 15’s contest against the Houston Texans.

Reid didn’t offer specifics as to the nature of Hardman’s abdominal issues.

“I don’t have anything for you there,” Reid said. “Just got to get through this part.”

Hardman’s abdominal problem surfaced in the practices leading up to last Sunday’s home game against Jacksonville. He missed all three practices that week and didn’t play in the Chiefs’ 27-17 win over the Jaguars in Week 10.

Then, this week, the fourth-year pro missed Wednesday’s practice as the Chiefs began their preparations for Sunday night’s road game against the Chargers. The announcement about his trip to IR was made Thursday.

Hardman isn’t the only Chiefs wide receiver who’s missing time right now, as JuJu Smith-Schuster (concussion) is also out for Sunday night’s game against the Chargers.

But the Chiefs appear to have depth with Marquez Valdes-Scantling, Kardarius Toney, Justin Watson and rookie Skyy Moore, and Reid indicated Friday that he is comfortable with the current next-man-up situation.

“You’ll probably see the same type of rotation that we had last week (vs. the Jaguars),” Reid said. “It will be similar to that.”

Wide receivers Marcus Kemp, Cornell Powell and Ihmir Smith-Marsette are on the Chiefs’ practice squad and could be candidates to be elevated to the active roster as necessary.