Missouri RB Ahmad Hardy remains unavailable for season start due to injury
ESPN • 1 min read • Latest: Aug 22, 2026, 11:57 PM
Last updated Aug 22, 2026
Ahmad Hardy, Missouri's running back and the nation's second-leading rusher last season, will not return for the start of the season due to ongoing rehab from a gunshot wound. Missouri head coach Eli Drinkwitz indicated that Hardy had been medically cleared but noted that his return could take five to eight weeks. ESPN reported that Hardy has not yet practiced, with a target return set for mid-September. The No. 25 Tigers are set to open their season against Arkansas-Pine Bluff on September 3 and Kansas on September 11.
- •Ahmad Hardy suffered a gunshot wound this offseason.
- •He recorded 1,649 rushing yards in 2025.
- •Missouri opens the season on September 3.
- •Targeted return for Hardy is mid-September.
- •Hardy has not participated in practice yet.
- 1:26 AMESPN — Sources: Mizzou RB Hardy eyes mid-Sept. return
- 1:20 AMYahoo Sports — Missouri football RB Ahmad Hardy injury return target set
- 11:57 PMYahoo Sports — Missouri RB Ahmad Hardy reportedly still rehabbing from gunshot wound, won't be available for start of season
"Missouri running back Ahmad Hardy will not be available in the season opener, and when asked about a timetable for a return on Saturday, Tigers coach Eli Drinkwitz said that "it's up to his body and his response, and I know he's doing everything he can."
"Speaking with the media after fall camp, Mizzou coach Eli Drinkwitz set a target for Ahmad Hardy’s return from his offseason gunshot wound injury.
"The No. 25 Tigers are targeting a mid-September return for Hardy, the nation's second-leading rusher last season, according to ESPN's report.
Sources
External links- ESPNAug 23, 2026, 1:26 AMSources: Mizzou RB Hardy eyes mid-Sept. return
Missouri running back Ahmad Hardy will not be available in the season opener, and when asked about a timetable for a return on Saturday, Tigers coach Eli Drinkwitz said that "it's up to his body and his response, and I know he's doing everything he can."
- Yahoo SportsAug 23, 2026, 1:20 AMMissouri football RB Ahmad Hardy injury return target set
Speaking with the media after fall camp, Mizzou coach Eli Drinkwitz set a target for Ahmad Hardy’s return from his offseason gunshot wound injury.
- Yahoo SportsAug 22, 2026, 11:57 PMMissouri RB Ahmad Hardy reportedly still rehabbing from gunshot wound, won't be available for start of season
The No. 25 Tigers are targeting a mid-September return for Hardy, the nation's second-leading rusher last season, according to ESPN's report.
Original reporting and copyright belong to the linked sources. SportsNewsReport.com aggregates and links — it does not republish full articles.
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