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Sport: College SportsCategory: Rumors

Missouri RB Ahmad Hardy remains unavailable for season start due to injury

CBS Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Aug 22, 2026, 11:57 PM

Last updated Aug 22, 2026

Missouri RB Ahmad Hardy remains unavailable for season start due to injury
Summary

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.

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Status Watch
  • •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.
Latest Updates
  • 3:08 PMCBS Sports — Missouri star RB Ahmad Hardy to miss opener, hasn't been cleared to practice as he recovers after being shot
  • 2:58 PMYahoo Sports — Ahmad Hardy injury update: Missouri RB to miss start of season
  • 1:24 PMYahoo Sports — Missouri RB Ahmad Hardy will not play in season opener
  • 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
What they're saying
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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."

— ESPNby Pete Thamel
"

Star running back Ahmad Hardy won't be ready for the start of Missouri's season as he still recovers from a gunshot wound sustained in the offseason.

"

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.

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