Missouri's Hardy set to debut against Arkansas after gunshot recovery

Missouri running back Ahmad Hardy is expected to make his 2026 season debut Saturday against Arkansas, though he is not expected to start and will likely receive only a handful of carries. Hardy returned to practice this week after missing nearly six months while recovering from a leg gunshot wound suffered at a concert in May. The junior was a first-team All-American in 2025, rushing for 1,649 yards and 16 touchdowns. In his absence, Jamal Roberts has led Missouri with an average of 124 rushing yards per game.