Missouri RB Ahmad Hardy 'medically cleared' from offseason shooting, working toward returning to football

Missouri head coach Eli Drinkwitz told reporters at SEC Media Days that running back Ahmad Hardy has been "medically cleared" from the bullet wound he sustained in the offseason.

Hardy was shot in the upper leg at a concert in early May. Police informed the Laurel Leader-Call on May 11 that the incident took place at a bike club and that at least two people were injured and three people of interest were in custody.

"There had been a scheduled concert there of some rappers, or maybe a couple of different rappers," Laurel police sergeant Macon Davis told the Leader-Call. "It drew a large crowd, and then gunshots rang out at the end."

The running back was released from the hospital two days after the shooting incident occurred. At the time, a timeline of his return to football activities was uncertain, as the program wanted to prioritize his health and recovery.

Drinkwitz added that Hardy's recovery remains somewhat uncertain. He said Hardy's return to playing football is expected to take between five and eight weeks, but it will also depend on how Hardy is feeling and whether he can return to his previous level of performance.

The running back began his collegiate career at Louisiana-Monroe in 2024, running for 1,351 yards with 13 touchdowns.

Hardy transferred to Missouri and improved. He played in 13 games last season and ran for 1,649 yards with 16 touchdowns. The running back was expected to be a focal point of the 2026 offense, but it still remains to be seen when he will be able to take the field for the Tigers.

Missouri opens the 2026 campaign on Sept. 3 against Arkansas-Pine Bluff. This would be about 6.5 weeks into the recovery timeline.

The Tigers' first conference game isn't until Sept. 26 on the road against Mississippi State. This game would be nearly 10 weeks past that five-to-eight-week recovery timeline, meaning there is a chance Hardy could be back for conference play.