Springfield, Mo. – Missouri Tigers head coach Eli Drinkwitz announced Tuesday that All‑American running back Ahmad Hardy was a full participant in practice the day before. Hardy, who was wounded in the leg during a concert‑related shooting in Laurel, Mississippi, in early May, has been working toward a return to game action.
Recovery timeline remains uncertain
Drinkwitz emphasized that the program has no set timetable for Hardy’s comeback. “We’ve always felt he would need two weeks to be back in football practices, and shape — to figure everything out. I really don’t have a timeline,” the coach said. He added that imposing an artificial deadline could create unrealistic expectations for fans and the player alike.
Injury details and surgery
Hardy required surgery that involved inserting a metal rod into his femur, the large bone in the upper leg. Drinkwitz described the recovery as “a lot more challenging than maybe a hamstring or an ACL injury,” noting the invasive nature of the bullet entry and the need for continuous monitoring of bone healing, wound care, and overall physical response.
“There’s not an X‑ray that tells you he’s ready to go,” Drinkwitz said, underscoring the complexity of returning to high‑level football after such an injury.
Hardy’s impact on the Tigers
Hardy transferred to Missouri last season after a standout freshman year at Louisiana‑Monroe, where he led the nation with 1,649 rushing yards and set a school record with 16 touchdowns. In a game against Mississippi State, he rushed for 300 yards and three touchdowns, the third‑highest total in SEC history.
Since his injury, the Tigers have relied on junior Jamal Roberts, who has stepped into the lead role. Roberts currently ranks seventh in the Football Bowl Subdivision with 867 rushing yards and has eight touchdown runs, placing him just outside the national top ten.
Upcoming schedule and potential role
The Tigers, sitting at 5‑2 overall and 2‑2 in the SEC, are preparing for a challenging stretch that includes games against No. 11 Texas, third‑ranked Georgia, No. 9 Kentucky, and a rivalry matchup with Arkansas. Drinkwitz said the staff will continue to assess Hardy’s health and will make decisions in consultation with the player and his doctors.
“Our goal is to make sure he is able to play and protect himself the best he can. That will be our guide,” Drinkwitz explained. “We’ll be really attuned to how he’s feeling, how he feels like he can best perform, and we’ll rely on him and the doctors to make decisions based on it and when he’ll be available this year.”
Legal follow‑up on the shooting
Police have arrested Rashodrick Harris and charged him with two felony counts of aggravated assault in connection with the May shooting that injured Hardy.
Missouri fans will be watching closely as Hardy’s recovery progresses, hoping his return can bolster the Tigers’ push for a spot in the 12‑team College Football Playoff.
Original reporting: KY3 Springfield (local) — read the source article.
