COLUMBIA, Mo. — Missouri All-American running back Ahmad Hardy has returned to the practice field, marking a significant milestone in his recovery nearly six months after he was wounded in a shooting in his home state of Mississippi.
Tigers coach Eli Drinkwitz confirmed Tuesday that Hardy, whose 2025 season was derailed by the off-field incident, was a full participant in Monday’s practice. However, while the return is an encouraging sign for the No. 23 Tigers, Drinkwitz cautioned that there is no set timeline for when the star athlete will see game action.
“We’ve always felt he would need two weeks to be back in football practices and shape — to figure everything out,” Drinkwitz said. “There’s never been anybody that we’ve experienced have to go through this. So for me to put an artificial timeline on that creates an expectation, and then disappointment to you and the fans and everybody that he can’t meet something he has no control over.”
Hardy was attending a concert in Laurel, Mississippi, this past May when he was struck by gunfire as a bystander. The injuries were severe, requiring the insertion of a metal rod into his femur. Drinkwitz emphasized the complexity of the recovery, noting that the injury is far more invasive than common football ailments like a torn ACL or a hamstring strain.
“It’s a lot more challenging,” Drinkwitz said. “The invasive nature of the recovery based off the bullet entry and the surgery that occurred, there’s a lot of things that have to go right continuously to return to play football at a high level. You’re having to monitor all that, from the bone healing to the wound to how does his body respond to having a rod placed in his femur.”
Hardy, who transferred to Missouri after a standout freshman season at Louisiana-Monroe, was a dominant force in his first year with the Tigers. He led the nation with 1,649 rushing yards and set a school record with 16 touchdowns. His return—or lack thereof—remains a major variable for a Missouri team that currently sits at 5-2 overall and 2-2 in the SEC.
In Hardy’s absence, Jamal Roberts has stepped into the lead role, flourishing with 867 rushing yards and eight touchdowns. His production has helped keep the Tigers in the conversation for a College Football Playoff berth despite a recent 31-3 loss to Mississippi.
With a daunting schedule ahead that includes matchups against No. 11 Texas, No. 3 Georgia, and No. 9 Kentucky, the Tigers face a critical stretch. When asked if Hardy might suit up for Saturday’s game against rival Arkansas or future high-stakes matchups, Drinkwitz remained non-committal.
“Our goal is to make sure he is able to play and protect himself the best he can,” the coach said. “That will be our guide.”
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