Hardy Cleared for Return
Missouri RB Ahmad Hardy Medically Cleared for Return-to-Play Protocol, Targets Season Opener
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Key Points
1
Hardy was shot in Laurel, Mississippi, in May while leaving a concert. Local police described him as an innocent bystander and noted he was in the passenger seat when the shooting occurred.
2
Medical progression included hospitalization and emergency surgery; the bullet struck a bone and has fully healed, with Hardy cleared to begin a return-to-play protocol in rehab.
3
If the return-to-play window lasts eight weeks, Missouri would likely be without Hardy for the first two games of the season.
4
During rehabilitation, Hardy has engaged in nontraditional recovery activities such as horseback riding, with coaches noting his progress and humor about the rehab process.
Missouri running back Ahmad Hardy has been medically cleared and is working through a return-to-play protocol after being shot in the leg in May, coach Eli Drinkwitz announced. The bullet struck a bone, but that bone has fully healed, according to CBS Sports. Hardy is now rehabbing at the team facility with a five-to-eight week timeline for a potential return.
Hardy was shot in Laurel, Mississippi, on May 10 while leaving a concert. Police called him an innocent bystander — he was sitting in the passenger seat when the shooting happened, per Kansas City Star. He required emergency surgery and was hospitalized before beginning his recovery.
What the Eight-Week Timeline Means for Missouri
Missouri opens its 2025 season on Sept. 3 against Arkansas-Pine Bluff. If Hardy's recovery stretches to the longer end of the five-to-eight week window, he could miss the team's first two games, according to Yahoo Sports. The exact path depends on how his body responds to each stage of the protocol.
Drinkwitz offered no firm return date but stayed optimistic. He suggested Hardy could come back even stronger after the injury. The coach pointed to Hardy's focus and maturity during rehab as reasons for that confidence, per CBS Sports.
Hardy Was the SEC's Top Rusher Last Season
The stakes are high for Missouri because of what Hardy means to the offense. Last season, he rushed for 1,649 yards and scored 16 touchdowns. That led the SEC in rushing and placed him among the top backs in the country, according to CBS Sports. Losing him early — or at all — would put a serious dent in Missouri's attack.
His absence would force Missouri to lean on other backs and adjust its game plan. The team would likely spread carries across a deeper rotation. How that group performs without Hardy could shape Missouri's record in the season's opening weeks.
Horseback Riding and an Unusual Road Back
Hardy's rehab has not followed a typical path. Coaches noted he took up horseback riding as part of his nontraditional recovery work, according to Head Topics. Drinkwitz even joked about it publicly, a sign of how relaxed and focused the team feels about Hardy's progress.
Hardy has been working inside the team facility as he builds back up. The medical and performance staffs are guiding him through each step carefully. There is limited research on returning from this specific type of bone injury, so the team is being cautious and watching his progress closely, per Yahoo Sports.
Missouri and Hardy Are Taking No Chances
Everyone involved is moving slowly on purpose. Drinkwitz made clear that no one will rush Hardy back before he is truly ready. The coach described the situation as "fluid" and said the team is just happy he is cleared and progressing, according to Kansas City Star.
The best-case outcome puts Hardy on the field before or shortly after the season kicks off. The worst case keeps him out for the first two games. Either way, Missouri and Hardy appear locked in on getting this right — not just getting back fast.
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