Missouri Running Back Ahmad Hardy Cleared to Return After May Shooting and Surgery

Missouri running back Ahmad Hardy registered 1,649 yards and 16 touchdowns for the Tigers last season and enters 2026 as the Power Four's top returning rusher. He has been cleared medically to return after the May shooting at a Mississippi concert that required emergency surgery. Hardy was released from the hospital days later and returned to Columbia to begin rehabilitation.

Head coach Eli Drinkwitz said Monday at SEC Media Days that Hardy spent the weekend in the team facility working on his recovery, with one of the team's nutritionists watching his son. Drinkwitz noted that the bullet struck a bone, which has complicated the process.

"We anticipate he will make a recovery, but what that recovery will look like after having a bullet strike you is still to be determined," Drinkwitz said.

He added that the return-to-play protocol could take 5 to 8 weeks and that limited medical literature exists on similar cases. Drinkwitz also said the shooting served as a reminder about gun violence and described Hardy's approach to rehabilitation as a positive example for the team. Hardy, a Mississippi native, transferred to Missouri after a breakout season at Louisiana-Monroe.

The Tigers will feature new starters at quarterback and two wide receiver positions in 2026, with Jamal Roberts sharing the backfield alongside Hardy.