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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Sport
Andrew Gamble & Charlie Wilson

Kansas City Chiefs suffer huge Super Bowl LVII blow after losing leading wide receiver

The Kansas City Chiefs are set to be without their touchdown-leading wide-receiver in Mecole Hardman, who has been put on injured reserve ahead of the game.

Since losing superstar Tyreek Hill last summer when he was traded to the Miami Dolphins, Hardman had taken over the role as the speedy wide receiver, as the Chiefs looked to stretch the field and the opposing defence in certain formations.

And although Hardman isn't exactly the go-to man on the offense, he remains a vital piece of the cog to the Chiefs in their playcalling sheet.

Hardman has the most receiving touchdowns out of any wide receiver on the roster, more than JuJu Smith-Schuster, Marques Valdes-Scantling, Kadarius Toney and Skyy Moore.

The Chiefs will need to be at their optimal if they are to compete with the Eagles high-flying offense and defense - who rank as well as any other across the league.

Tight end Travis Kelce remains the main receiving threat for the Chiefs, having had an incredible season once again, registering 1338 receiving yards and 12 touchdowns.

Kelce and superstar quarterback Patrick Mahomes have now combined for 60 touchdowns in the last five seasons, more than any other duo in the league in that time.

Mahomes is likely to win his second MVP award after a bounce back season following a difficult year, for his standards, in 2021.

Andy Reid and Patrick Mahomes will miss their speedy receiver (G Fiume/Getty Images)

The 27-year-old is now seen as the best quarterback in the league by some distance, with some even claiming he could threaten Tom Brady for GOAT status should he remain on this path.

However, he comes into to the game as the underdog, after suffering a high ankle sprain in their recent win over the Jacksonville Jaguars, along with the Philadelphia Eagles having arguably the best defence in the league.

Mahomes and the Chiefs are playing in their third Super Bowl in the last four years, as they look to win their second championship.

The Eagles meanwhile, will look to win their second Super Bowl in franchise history, after doing so in 2018 with Nick Foles at quarterback in the surprise victory over Tom Brady and the New England Patriots.

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