Missouri got some absolutely massive news Sunday: star running back Ahmad Hardy is finally heading back to practice this week. This isn’t just a regular return from injury, either. Hardy has been sidelined all season recovering from a gunshot wound he suffered way back in May. What a journey for this dude.
The Long Road Back to the Field
Let’s rewind a bit. Back in May, Hardy was attending a concert in Mississippi when he was shot in the upper leg. It sounds terrifying. He needed emergency surgery and, understandably, hasn’t seen a single snap on the field all season while he’s been rehabbing. His coach, Eli Drinkwitz, had been pretty tight-lipped about Hardy’s progress all season, basically telling everyone he’d tweet out the news himself when there was an update. And he did, on Sunday evening, making good on his promise. Talk about keeping it real.
What This Means for Missouri’s Brutal November
Hardy wasn’t just any running back; he was arguably the best in the entire country last season. He led all Power Four players with a ridiculous 1,649 rushing yards and 16 rushing touchdowns. While he’s been out, Jamal Roberts has stepped up huge for the Tigers, ranking seventh in the country with 867 rushing yards and tying for 18th with eight rushing touchdowns. If Missouri can get Hardy back anywhere close to his old form, they’re suddenly looking at the best running back tandem in the nation. Think about that for a second.
His status for Saturday’s game against Arkansas is still up in the air, but the big picture here is November. Missouri is staring down a brutal home stretch that includes games against Texas, Georgia, Kentucky, and Oklahoma. Their offense is going to need every ounce of help it can get against those defenses. Getting Hardy back, even if it’s just to ramp up, is huge. It gives them a shot of adrenaline right when they need it most. We’ll be watching closely to see if he suits up for Arkansas, but more importantly, how ready he’ll be for that gauntlet of games coming up. That’s where the real test begins.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by CBS Sports.
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