NFL Player News

Hardman recorded three receptions (on three targets) for 57 yards in Sunday's 25-22 overtime win over the 49ers in Super Bowl LVIII.

Hardman was acquired by the Chiefs at the trade deadline but was sidelined by a thumb injury for most of the remaining games in the regular season. He also played a minimal role in the playoffs, including the AFC Championship Game, when he was on the field for only one offensive snap. However, Hardman came through on the biggest stage, catching a three-yard touchdown in overtime to deliver a walk-off Super Bowl win for the Chiefs. He also tallied a 52-yard catch early in the second quarter, accounting for the team's longest play from scrimmage. Hardman will hit free agency this offseason, and he'll likely find a short-term deal as a depth pass-catching option.

Rice recorded six receptions (on eight targets) for 39 yards in Sunday's 25-22 overtime win over the 49ers in Super Bowl LVIII. He added two rushes for five yards.

Rice finished second on the team in targets behind Travis Kelce, which turned into an uninspiring yardage total. However, Rice notched a pair of impactful receptions on the Chiefs' game-winning drive in overtime, the latter of which was a 13-yard gain on third down to get the offense into 49ers territory. The effort concluded a strong second half of the season for the rookie pass catcher, as he commanded at least eight targets in eight of Kansas City's last 10 games including playoffs. Rice will be a key part of the offense in 2024 and should share the top pass-catching role with Travis Kelce.

Peoples-Jones caught 13 passes (on 25 targets) for 155 yards over 15 regular-season games in 2023.

Peoples-Jones began the year as a near every-down player in Cleveland, where he produced 97 yards in seven games. Upon being dealt to Detroit, the Michigan product only topped 20 percent of the offensive snaps in one game when Jameson Williams and Kalif Raymond (knee) got banged up. Peoples-Jones then was barely used in the playoffs, not seeing a single target or more than six offensive snaps in any of three games. Now set to become an unrestricted free agent, he may need to find a new team to help him rediscover his 2022 form when he totaled 839 receiving yards and three touchdowns in 17 games.

Raymond (knee) caught 35 passes (on 44 targets) for 489 yards with one touchdown while rushing seven times for 75 yards over 17 regular-season games in 2023.

While he didn't reach the four touchdowns he scored in 2021 or the 652 yards he totaled in 2022, Raymond put together yet another respectable season as a tertiary option in Detroit's high-flying offense while pitching in at punt returner as well. He rarely needed much playing time to do it, either, given that Raymond topped 30 percent of the offensive snaps in just six games and had more than four targets only twice. With offensive coordinator Ben Johnson surprisingly coming back as Detroit's offensive coordinator, Raymond -- who remains under contract through 2025 -- should be back next season as an interesting gadget player on offense and a key player on special teams.

Reynolds caught 40 of 64 targets for 608 yards and five touchdowns over 17 regular-season games in 2023.

After averaging 56.8 yards with three touchdowns over the first six games of the year, Reynolds only collected 26.4 yards per game since that point. Part of his dip in production was tied to the return and then slight ascension of Jameson Williams, who missed the first four games of the year due to a gambling-related suspension but saw increased playing time as the year went on. While Reynolds is now set to become an unrestricted free agent, he will likely remain a fantasy afterthought wherever he lands.

Williams caught 24 passes (on 42 targets) for 354 yards and two touchdowns while rushing three times for 29 yards and one touchdown over 12 regular-season games in 2023.

While Williams -- who missed the first four games of the year due to a gambling-related suspension -- has not truly lived up to his first-round pedigree through two seasons, he seems to be making strides in the right direction. After starting the season consistently logging less than half of the offensive snaps, the Alabama product finished the year seeing at least two-thirds of them while serving as the No. 2 wide receiver behind Amon-Ra St. Brown. Williams then made a number of catches over three playoff games, ultimately putting together a two-touchdown performance in a loss to the 49ers in the NFC Championship Game. Unless Detroit brings in significant competition at wide receiver, Williams could be in store for a breakout 2024 campaign as an ascending talent within a high-scoring offense.

Samuel (hamstring) returned to Sunday's game against the Chiefs, Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

Samuel went down with a non-contact injury midway through the third quarter but wasn't forced to miss any time. He'll return to his typical role in the 49ers offense.

Samuel is questionable to return to Sunday's game against the Chiefs due to a hamstring injury, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

Samuel pulled up in the middle of a route in the third quarter and received attention from the trainers on the field. He was able to walk to the sideline without assistance and has since been examined in the blue tent. His absence would be a big blow to the San Francisco offense, with Jauan Jennings likely to be asked to step up in Samuel's absence.

Toney (coach's decision) is inactive for Super Bowl LVIII against the 49ers on Sunday.

Toney's second season with the Chiefs hasn't gone swimmingly, to say the least. In his second-to-last appearance back in Week 14 against the Bills, he lined up offsides on what would have been a go-ahead touchdown pass from Patrick Mahomes to Travis Kelce. Since his last game action Week 15, Toney has been tending to a strained hip and an ankle injury before sitting out the AFC Championship Game due to personal reasons. Despite operating as a full participant during both weeks of Super Bowl prep, he won't be available to Kansas City's offense, ending his campaign, one where he had 27 catches (on 38 targets) for 169 yards and one touchdown and 11 carries for 31 yards in 13 regular-season games.

Toney is expected to be a healthy inactive Sunday for the Chiefs' matchup with the 49ers in Super Bowl LVIII, a league source told Adam Schefter of ESPN.

Toney hasn't played since Week 15, but after turning in a slate of full practices over the two weeks of Super Bowl prep, he appears to have moved past the strained hip and ankle injury that kept him out for the past five games. However, Toney's lengthy absence and underwhelming play when healthy during the regular season appear to be factors in the Chiefs' apparent decision to hold him out for the Super Bowl. Toney likely didn't help his cause by claiming he was "not hurt" in an Instagram Live video posted shortly before the Chiefs' win over the Ravens in the AFC Championship Game on Jan. 28, though he later clarified that his rant was directed toward the Giants, his former team. After scoring a touchdown in last season's Super Bowl win over the Eagles and setting up another score in the fourth quarter with a 65-yard punt return, Toney was expected to take on a featured role in the passing attack in 2023, but he was limited to just 27 receptions for 169 yards and a touchdown while dropping five of his 38 targets over his 13 regular-season appearances.