- May 21, 2026
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SportsMafia Wire graphic. Team logos and player headshots via ESPN.
Missouri running back Ahmad Hardy will return to practice this week for the first time since being shot at a concert in May.
Coach Eli Drinkwitz announced the development Sunday, stating on social media that the medical staff will determine Hardy's return to game action. Drinkwitz had previously indicated Hardy would need two weeks of full-speed practice before playing.
Hardy, a consensus All-America selection, has not appeared this season. He rushed for 1,649 yards and 16 touchdowns as a junior. In his absence, Jamal Roberts has led the SEC with 123.86 rushing yards per game.
Missouri (5-2) faces a demanding stretch beginning Saturday at Arkansas, followed by games against No. 11 Texas, No. 3 Georgia and No. 9 Kentucky. Drinkwitz had said Hardy was medically cleared from the bullet wound by July, but updates remained scarce until this announcement.
The Tigers enter the stretch with both losses coming in conference play.
Mickey's Angle: Even if Hardy suits up soon, expect Roberts to keep a significant role given his SEC-leading production—Hardy will need time to shake rust against elite competition.
Source: ESPN (also reported by CBS Sports) - written by Mickey the Mouth from the original report.