Missouri running back Ahmad Hardy will return to practice this week for the first time since suffering a gunshot wound in the offseason, coach Eliah Drinkwitz announced Sunday, Oct. 25.
"After consulting with our medical team, Ahmad Hardy will return to practice this week," Drinkwitz said on social media. "Our medical staff will determine his return to game action."
Hardy, who rushed for an SEC-leading 1,649 yards in 2025, was shot in May after a concert in Mississippi and has yet to play in a game this season. He underwent surgery on his leg in the offseason.
Drinkwitz has stated previously that Hardy needs a two-week ramp-up period before returning to game action after starting practice again.
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“If he practices, I promise, I'll tweet it out. I won't even give it to Pete (ESPN reporter Pete Thamel),” Drinkwitz said earlier this month. “We'll just do it ourselves. So, again, I think it's going to be really important — I know everybody's excited about where we're at and all that good stuff. When he's available, I promise you we’ll be excited to use him. But that’s not the story right now. So, nothing new.”
A first-team All-American last season, Hardy had 256 carries for 1,649 yards and 16 rushing touchdowns last season, ranked fourth nationally in attempts and second nationally in rushing yards. His backup last season, Jamal Roberts, has been one of the best running backs in the SEC in his absence, with 167 carries for 867 yards – seventh-most nationally – and eight rushing scores this season.
Missouri (5-2, 2-2 SEC) has a tough remaining schedule against Arkansas, Texas, Georgia, Kentucky and Oklahoma this season. Hardy's return to the Tigers' backfield would be a welcomed boost, and one that would be an inspirational return.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Missouri RB Ahmad Hardy returning to practice after being shot in offseason
