Drinkwitz Updates Hardy Injury Recovery for Missouri Football

Missouri football running back Ahmad Hardy remains out of action after a May 13 gunshot injury in Laurel, Mississippi, with coach Eli Drinkwitz providing an update on his recovery and return timeline during an interview on Thursday.

Drinkwitz said Hardy has not returned to practice as the team waits for his body to reach the level needed for competition, according to The Telegraph. Hardy underwent surgery after the upper leg injury.

"The whole situation is we're trying to get to a two-week ramp-up period where he could be at least what he was last year, right," "So there's a certain set of metrics that you're going to have to be able to do in order to do that. And right now, just with the significance of the injury, it's just taking a while for his body to get back into a place where he can run and move the way he needs to in order to play the game at the highest level, which is to be the best running back in college football." said Eli Drinkwitz, Missouri football head coach.

Drinkwitz discussed Hardy's progress while appearing on The Paul Finebaum Show. The running back has not yet resumed practice for Missouri, according to The Telegraph.

"We haven't given up hope, but you know, it's just taking a little bit longer than what the hope of our team would be," said Eli Drinkwitz, Missouri football head coach.

Hardy produced 1,649 rushing yards on 256 carries with 16 rushing touchdowns for Missouri during the 2025 season, according to The Telegraph. The team continues to monitor his recovery.