![Missouri Tigers running back Ahmad Hardy (29) fends off Virginia Cavaliers cornerback Emmanuel Karnley (19) during the first quarter of the TaxSlayer Gator Bowl at EverBank Stadium, Saturday, Dec. 27, 2025, in Jacksonville. Fla. [Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Union]](/cdn-cgi/image/onerror=redirect,width=640,height=640,format=webp/https://storage.googleapis.com/uploads.mongoosehq.com/url/media/138495586/81ebb749f327ddbf991a67525b2f06d8c73f1218c9bafe452789988833154c81)
Overview
- Hardy was shot in the upper leg while leaving a concert on May 10 and underwent surgery in Mississippi before being released in stable condition.
- He returned to Columbia and has been rehabbing each morning at Missouri’s training facility, posting a video May 20 thanking supporters and confirming his recovery has begun.
- Missouri coach Eliah Drinkwitz said May 26 that Hardy is making progress but that the team is “a long way away from knowing what the football side will be” because there are few established return-to-play protocols for this injury.
- Laurel, Mississippi, police identified multiple people of interest and authorities arrested at least one suspect, and the criminal investigation into the shooting remains active.
- Hardy’s recovery will affect Missouri’s 2026 roster planning and his NFL outlook given he led the SEC with 1,649 rushing yards and 16 touchdowns in 2025.