Chiefs give positive updates on Chris Jones and Mecole Hardman

Good news comes from Chiefs training camp, with Andy Reid saying both Chris Jones and Mecole Hardman could play in Saturday’s preseason home opener.

The penultimate practice session at Wednesday’s training camp in St. Joseph, Missouri, was a patchy one for Chiefs fans.

Star defensive tackle Chris Jones and wide receiver Mecole Hardman were both sent off with injuries. Jones pinched his back and Hardman had a groin problem, but it was quickly revealed that each injury was minor. Even better news came from the Chiefs camp today.

Whether head coach Andy Reid will actually let Jones and Hardman play against the Washington Commanders on Saturday is unknown, but it’s still good news that he thinks it’s possible.

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Jones, which is entering its third season $80 million four-year extension, will play a big role in the Chiefs’ young defense. His experience as a veteran and consecutive All-Pro-nominated second-team skills will be a crutch for a young group looking to redefine itself as a unit.

Jones’ presence alongside Frank Clark and the recently signed Carlos Dunlap will allow rookies like George Karlaftis and developing linemen Mike Danna, Joshua Kaindo and Khalen Saunders to achieve a greater effect in the rotation.

The Chiefs announce that both Chris Jones and Mecole Hardman are healthy

Hartman is ready to take on a much larger role on the Chiefs offense this season. With JuJu Smith-Schuster and Marquez Valdez-Scantling coming to town freelance, Hardman will have a chance to finally thrive in that scheme. He has spent the first three years of his rookie deal in Tyreek Hill’s shadow and is expected to take over much of Hill’s previous duties.

The loss of Jones or Hardman — let alone both — would be a serious thorn in the side of a Chiefs team that aims to return the Super Bowl in 2022 for the third time in four years.