NFL Player News

Smith-Schuster (knee) is listed as questionable after the first week of preparation ahead of Super Bowl LVII versus the Eagles on Sunday, Feb. 12.

Smith-Schuster is dealing with some residual swelling in his left knee following this past Sunday's AFC Championship Game against the Bengals, from which he was forced out early. Both Smith-Schuster and Kadarius Toney (ankle/hamstring) have questionable designations after this week, while Mecole Hardman (pelvis) is doubtful and already has been deemed unlikely to play in the Super Bowl by coach Andy Reid. If this latter point comes to pass, the statuses of Smith-Schuster and Toney become of greater import to see if one or both will be available to quarterback Patrick Mahomes (ankle).

Toney (ankle) didn't have a helmet at Friday's practice and was throwing a ball around with JuJu Smith-Schuster (knee) while the rest of the team warmed up, Pete Sweeney of ArrowheadPride.com reports.

Coach Andy Reid suggested Thursday that both Toney and Smith-Schuster have a chance to be ready for the Super Bowl, whereas Mecole Hardman (pelvis) is going for a second medical opinion and has already been deemed unlikely to play. Toney presumably needs to return for at least one practice next week to be active for the Super Bowl against Philadelphia.

Smith-Schuster (knee) didn't appear to practice Friday, as he was playing catch with Kadarius Toney (ankle/hamstring) while the Chiefs' healthy players were warming up, Pete Sweeney of ArrowheadPride.com reports.

Smith-Schuster and Toney at least appear in better shape than Mecole Hardman, who was completely absent from practice after reinjuring his pelvis in the AFC Championship Game. Smith-Schuster and Toney also were forced out early and failed to return, but coach Andy Reid suggested Thursday that both wideouts have a chance to be ready for the Super Bowl on Feb. 12. Hardman, on the other hand, has already been deemed unlikely to play by his head coach.

The Chiefs are gathering opinions to determine if Hardman (pelvis) has a chance to play in Super Bowl LVII against the Bengals, Mike Garafolo of NFL Network reports.

What alternatively has been called an abdominal or pelvic issue actually is a core muscle injury, per Garafolo. The health concern contained Hardman to just one appearance since Week 9 in this past Sunday's AFC Championship Game versus the Bengals, a contest in which he aggravated it. On Thursday, coach Andy Reid said "it'll be tough" for Hardman to be active for the Super Bowl, according to Matt Derrick of ChiefsDigest.com. Having said that, the door remains slightly ajar for Hardman to be a part of the Chiefs' offensive game plan Sunday, Feb. 12.

Coach Andy Reid told Matt Derrick of ChiefsDigest.com on Thursday that Hardman (pelvis) is unlikely to be available for Super Bowl LVII versus the Eagles. "I think it'll be tough for him," Reid relayed.

Making his first appearance since Week 9 in this past Sunday's AFC Championship Game against the Bengals, Hardman managed to play 15 of 69 snaps on offense en route to two catches (on three targets) for 10 yards and two carries for seven yards. However, he aggravated his injured pelvis in the second half and was unable to return. Considering Reid's comments Thursday, Hardman seems to be the least likely of the Chiefs' banged-up wide receivers -- also, JuJu Smith-Schuster (knee) and Kadarius Toney (ankle/hamstring) -- to suit up Sunday, Feb. 12.

Coach Andy Reid said Smith-Schuster (knee) won't practice Thursday, Sam McDowell of The Kansas City Star reports.

Smith-Schuster was knocked out of this past Sunday's AFC Championship Game versus the Bengals with a knee issue, holding him to one seven-yard catch on 31 of 69 offensive snaps. While Smith-Schuster hasn't taken part in drills in the meantime, Reid expressed optimism Thursday regarding the wide receiver being able to practice next week ahead of Super Bowl LVII against the Eagles, according to Nate Taylor of The Athletic. "He's in a good place," Reid added. "The main thing is letting this thing calm down. ... We'll just see where it goes." Position mates Kadarius Toney (ankle/hamstring) and Mecole Hardman (pelvis) also have been held out this week, so the situation will be one to watch to get a sense of who among the trio may be active Sunday, Feb. 12.

Coach Andy Reid said Toney (ankle) won't take part in practice Thursday, Nate Taylor of The Athletic reports.

Toney has yet to practice since injuring his left ankle during the Chiefs' win against the Bengals in the AFC Championship Game this past Sunday, which contained him to four snaps on offense and one nine-yard catch. He's also listed with a hamstring issue on the team's initial injury report ahead of Super Bowl LVII. Reid told Sam McDowell of The Kansas City Star that Toney did participate in Thursday's walkthrough, adding that the wide receiver is "close." Position mates JuJu Smith-Schuster (knee) and Mecole Hardman (pelvis) also haven't mixed into drills this week, so the health of the trio will continue to be monitored to see who among them may be available Sunday, Feb. 12 against the Eagles.

Cracraft secured nine of 14 targets for 102 yards and two touchdowns across 11 regular-season games with the Dolphins in 2022.

Cracraft split time with Cedrick Wilson as the No. 4 wideout in Miami's offense during the 2022 campaign, and he's set to become an unrestricted free agent this offseason. Considering that Cracraft has experience in coach Mike McDaniel's offensive scheme going back to 2021 in San Francisco, though, he could be an option to re-sign with the Dolphins at relatively low cost. Cracraft's 2022 receiving totals signify career-high marks across the board.

Sherfield secured 30 of 51 targets for 417 yards and two touchdowns across 17 regular-season games with the Dolphins in 2022.

Sherfield put together the best campaign of his five-year career in his inaugural season with the Dolphins, an outcome that was no doubt assisted by his familiarity with coach Mike McDaniel's scheme from their time together in San Francisco. He established himself as a trustworthy No. 3 wideout down the stretch of the 2022 season, so though Sherfield will be an unrestricted free agent this offseason, the Dolphins could have real motivation to re-sign him as reliable depth behind Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle.

Robinson (sports hernia) underwent surgery Monday, Jonas Shaffer of the Baltimore Banner reports.

Robinson's recovery from the procedure to address a sports hernia injury shouldn't significantly impact his availability during offseason activities. The impending unrestricted free agent appeared in 17 regular-season games for the Ravens this season, in which span he secured 48 of 75 targets for 458 yards and two touchdowns.