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Hardy's Return Delayed: Tigers Face Season Start Without Star Runner
23 Aug
Summary
- Ahmad Hardy medically cleared but return timeline is 5-8 weeks.
- He is still not practicing and will miss the season opener.
- Hardy was the nation's second-leading rusher in 2025 with 1,649 yards.
Missouri Tigers' running back Ahmad Hardy has received medical clearance following an offseason gunshot wound. Despite this positive step, his return to the field remains uncertain, with head coach Eli Drinkwitz estimating a recovery period of five to eight weeks.
As the Tigers prepare for their season opener, Hardy is not expected to participate. He has yet to resume practice, and his availability for the initial games against Arkansas-Pine Bluff on September 3 and Kansas on September 11 is unlikely.
The team is reportedly aiming for a mid-September return for Hardy, who was a standout player last season. In 2025, he finished as the nation's second-leading rusher, amassing an impressive 1,649 yards on the ground.
