Missouri's Ahmad Hardy Reportedly to Make Season Debut vs. Arkansas After Being Shot at Concert

Missouri running back Ahmad Hardy is reportedly set to make his season debut Saturday.

ESPN's Pete Thamel reported Thursday that Hardy is expected to play and receive "a handful of carries" during the Tigers' conference matchup against Arkansas. While he won't start, it seems like Hardy will be involved in the gameplan.

Thamel noted Hardy returned to practice this week leading up to the game "after dealing with the injury complications of being struck by a bullet in May."

Missouri announced on May 11 that Hardy "was the victim of shooting at a concert" and underwent surgery. It did not have a timeline for his return at that time but noted he was "in stable condition."

Head coach Eli Drinkwitz told reporters in July the running back was "medically clear" and anticipated to "make a recovery."

Thamel noted Drinkwitz has since remained "cautious in his public statements" and "indicated there's no blueprint for a player returning from injuries related to a gunshot wound."

Hardy was one of the best running backs in the country last season as a consensus All-American and Doak Walker Award finalist. He ran for 1,649 yards and 16 touchdowns while averaging 6.4 yards per attempt.

The Tigers have turned to Jamal Roberts in his place this season. Roberts has also been excellent with 867 rushing yards, 105 receiving yards and eight touchdowns.

Missouri is off to a 5-2 start this season, although it is coming off a 31-3 blowout loss to Ole Miss. It is 2-2 in the conference with a number of difficult games remaining, including ones against Texas, Georgia and Kentucky.