Report: Mizzou star Ahmad Hardy to make season debut against Arkansas after offseason gunshot injury

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KCTV) - All-American running back Ahmad Hardy is set to return to action this weekend when the Missouri Tigers take on Arkansas.

According to a report from ESPN’s Pete Thamel, Hardy is not expected to start but will get “a handful of carries.”

Hardy has not played during the 2026 season. He returned to practice this week after Mizzou head coach Eli Drinkwitz said trainers approved that on Sunday.

Hardy was the SEC’s leading rusher in 2025 with 1,649 yards and 16 touchdowns. He was a consensus All-American in his first season with the Tigers after transferring from Louisiana-Monroe.

The junior was struck by a bullet in May while attending a concert in Mississippi.

Drinkwitz has said Mizzou would be cautious with Hardy’s recovery as he dealt with recovering from a bullet wound that injured his leg.

With Hardy out, Mizzou’s Jamal Roberts has lead the SEC with an average of 124 rushing yards per game.

Mizzou and Arkansas will kick off Saturday at 6:45 p.m. in Fayetteville. The Tigers (5-2, 2-2 SEC) are 10-point favorites.