Chiefs place WR Mecole Hardman (knee) on IR

(Photo credit: Cary Edmondson-Imagn Images)
The Kansas City Chiefs placed wide receiver Mecole Hardman on injured reserve Saturday with a knee injury.

Chiefs head coach Andy Reid told reporters Friday that Hardman suffered the injury before the team's on-field work when his "knee locked up on him."

The earliest Hardman can return is Week 18 against the host Denver Broncos.

Hardman, 26, signed a one-year deal with the C