Ahmad Hardy Returns to Missouri Practice

Missouri running back Ahmad Hardy has resumed full participation in practice, nearly six months after he was shot in the leg. The All-American joined the Tigers on Monday, but coach Eli Drinkwitz said it is unclear whether he will be ready to play against Arkansas on Saturday or later this season.

Drinkwitz said Hardy may need two weeks of football practice to assess his readiness, but stressed that the timeline depends on how his body responds. The coach said he would not set a return date, adding that Hardy and the medical team would guide decisions about when he can play and protect himself.

Hardy’s recovery is more complex than a typical football injury, Drinkwitz said. The bullet wound and surgery involved placing a rod in Hardy’s femur, and the team is monitoring bone healing, the wound and his ability to handle the demands of play. There is no single X-ray that can determine when he is ready, the coach said.

Quarterback Austin Simmons said seeing Hardy make cuts at practice was exciting. Hardy led the nation with 1,649 rushing yards last season and set a Missouri record with 16 touchdowns. The Tigers, who are 5-2, play Arkansas in Fayetteville on Saturday, then face a demanding stretch that includes Texas, Georgia and Kentucky.