Sports · October 29, 2026
Missouri football’s Ahmad Hardy expected to make season debut at Arkansas
Missouri All-American running back Ahmad Hardy is expected to make his 2026 season debut this Saturday against Arkansas. Hardy has been sidelined for the first seven games of the season while recovering from a gunshot wound sustained at a concert in Mississippi in May. Although coach Eli Drinkwitz refrained from committing to a specific return date earlier in the week, sources indicate Hardy has been cleared to play and will likely receive a limited number of carries behind current starter Jamal Roberts.
Read the original coverage
- ESPNSports network
Sources: Missouri RB Hardy to make season debut vs. Arkansas
Read at ESPN ↗ - CBS SportsSports network
Ahmad Hardy returning for Missouri: Star RB set for season debut after recovering from gunshot wound
Read at CBS Sports ↗ - New York PostTabloid
All-American Ahmad Hardy making Missouri return months after getting shot
Read at New York Post ↗ - Yahoo SportsSports network
Missouri football’s Ahmad Hardy expected to make season debut at Arkansas
Read at Yahoo Sports ↗
Reported by multiple outlets
- Ahmad Hardy is set to make his season debut against Arkansas.
- Hardy has missed Missouri's first seven games of the 2026 season.
- The debut will take place on Saturday in Arkansas.
- Hardy returned to practice earlier this week.
Reported by only some outlets
- Hardy is expected to receive a handful of carries but will not start.
- Hardy was absent from the SEC availability report on Wednesday night.
- The injury was a gunshot wound to the upper leg sustained at a concert in Mississippi.
- Hardy recorded 1,649 rushing yards and 16 touchdowns in the 2025 season.
- Jamal Roberts currently has 867 rushing yards and eight touchdowns this season.
- Hardy began his college career at Louisiana-Monroe before transferring to Missouri.
Confirmed
- Ahmad Hardy will make his 2026 debut against Arkansas on Saturday.
- Hardy returned to practice during the week leading up to the game.
- Hardy was a first-team All-American who led the SEC in rushing yards in 2025.
Reported
- Hardy is expected to get a handful of carries but will not start. (ESPN)
- Hardy's absence from the SEC availability report on Wednesday indicated his readiness to play. (CBS Sports)
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