Texas A&M ended its two-game losing streak in SEC play by defeating Arkansas 34-7 last Saturday night, led by 231 rushing yards and a much-improved defensive effort, especially in the secondary. Overall, third-year coach Mike Elko deserves credit for getting his roster back to playing with a physical edge after looking lifeless on both sides of the ball against Kentucky and LSU.
On Saturday, the Aggies head to Columbia to face No. 14 Missouri for the second straight season after defeating the Tigers 38-17 in 2025, but this time, Elko and his staff won't have to prepare for star running back Ahmad Hardy, who has yet to take the field this season due to an offseason injury that sidelined him indefinitely.
However, the Tigers have looked like one
of the more dangerous offenses in the country behind former Ole Miss quarterback Austin Simmons, who has thrown for 1,287 yards, 13 touchdowns, and zero interceptions, connecting with star wide receivers Cayden Lee (522 yards) and Donovan Olugbode (407 yards), who have combined for 929 yards through five games.
On Tuesday, Missouri head coach Eli Drinkwitz said Ahmad Hardy is still in rehabilitation and will not play vs. Texas A&M on Saturday.
"As soon as I get an update that's worth sharing, I will. But he's not able to participate in a two-week ramp-up... He's not able to go out there and protect himself in a manner that he would have to to compete in the SEC. So he's working really hard. He's doing everything he can, but we're just waiting for his body to respond..."
"When you're trying to be the best running back in the country, and that's what you were previously, it's a lot of work and time to get back there. His body's just not ready yet, so he's doing everything he can. Our medical staff is doing everything they can, and we all wish it was right now, but it's not."
In my opinion, Ahmad Hardy was the best running back in college football last season, racking up 1,649 yards and 16 touchdowns, averaging 6.4 yards per carry. In his absence, senior running back Jamal Roberts has been highly productive, rushing for 606 yards and six touchdowns, and averaging 5.4 yards per carry.
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This article originally appeared on Aggies Wire: Missouri star RB will not make his 2026 debut against Texas A&M
