Chiefs lose Mecole Hardman to shoulder injury in first quarter of game vs Tampa Bay

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Mecole Hardman left the Chiefs' game against the Buccaneers midway through the first quarter Monday night, another significant blow to a Kansas City wide receiver corps that has been riddled by injuries this season.

Hardman was returning a punt and had turned upfield along the Tampa Bay sideline when he was dragged down after the 33-yard return. He landed hard on his right shoulder and immediately reached for it, and Hardman's right arm was hanging limp at his side when he trotted off the field and up the tunnel to the locker room.

The Chiefs already are missing Marquise Brown, who hurt his shoulder in the preseason and could miss the entire year following surgery, and Rashee Rice, who underwent season-ending surgery on his knee.

JuJu Smith-Schuster has been dealing with a hamstring injury and was inactive for Monday night's game.

Those injuries were a big reason why the Chiefs recently traded a conditional fifth-round draft pick to the Titans for DeAndre Hopkins, a three-time All-Pro. Hopkins made his debut last week and had two catches for 29 yards in a win in Las Vegas, and he already had four catches for 40 yards in the first quarter against Tampa Bay.

The Chiefs could be searching for more help ahead of Tuesday's trade deadline if Hardman has to miss significant time.

The only other wide receivers available against Tampa Bay were first-round draft pick Xavier Worthy, journeyman Justin Watson and Justyn Ross, who was elevated from the practice squad.