Eli Drinkwitz says Ahmad Hardy won't participate in first week of camp
Eli Drinkwitz gave an update on Missouri football running back Ahmad Hardy’s status before the Tigers hold their first fall camp practice on Monday.
Missouri football players arrived for training camp, but star running back Ahmad Hardy will not take part in the first week of the Tigers' preseason practices. Head coach Eli Drinkwitz announced this during a press conference at Memorial Stadium on Sunday. Hardy has not changed his status since Drinkwitz gave him an encouraging update at SEC Media Days last month.
The head coach clarified that Hardy will participate in rehab and walkthroughs to get him accustomed to football, while also being a participant in practices. Drinkwitz had previously stated that Hardy had been cleared to resume football activities and provided a tentative timeline of 5-8 weeks for him to enter a return-to-play protocol.
Hardy suffered a gunshot wound to his upper leg during an incident on May 10 outside the Kamikazy Biker Club in Laurel, Mississippi. The bullet hit his femur, leading to surgery, but Drinkwitz reported that the bone has healed fully, and he expects Hardy to play in 2026. The Tigers are set to hold their first practice on Monday, with six practices scheduled over the following seven days.
Hardy might be present at the initial practice but will not engage in full drills. Missouri's season opener is on September 3 against Arkansas-Pine Bluff, with the game against Mississippi State on September 26. Drinkwitz hinted at another update on Hardy's progress in about two weeks.
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