Missouri running back Ahmad Hardy's return remains several weeks away after the consensus All-American suffered a gunshot wound to his upper leg in May.
ESPN college football senior writer Pete Thamel provided the latest update on Saturday during College GameDay.
“Ahmad Hardy's comeback for Missouri keeps hitting bumps,” said Thamel. “He still has not practiced.”
The Tigers had already listed the running back as out for Saturday's road game against Mississippi State.
Article Continues BelowHardy required emergency surgery after being shot at a concert in Mississippi. His continued absence comes after a standout 2025 campaign in which he led the SEC with 1,649 rushing yards and scored 16 touchdowns. He also rushed for 300 yards and three touchdowns versus the Bulldogs last season.
Missouri head coach Eli Drinkwitz said back in August that Hardy would need a multi-week ramp-up period once he was cleared to resume practicing. With Hardy still unable to practice, his return to game action still remains weeks away.
The Tigers travel to face a Mississippi State team that entered Saturday ranked No. 24 with a 3-0 record, its first appearance in the rankings since 2022. The Bulldogs finished 5-8 last season and 2-10 in 2024, while Missouri defeated Mississippi State by a combined 88-47 across those two meetings.
The Tigers opened the season with a 54-14 win over Arkansas-Pine Bluff before defeating Kansas in Lawrence and beating Troy in Week 3.