Eli Drinkwitz provides update on recovery of Ahmad Hardy
By Sydney Hunte
Published:
Eli Drinkwitz is hoping to have Ahmad Hardy back in the fold sooner rather than later. For now, Hardy’s recovery from a gunshot wound in the offseason continues to keep him off the field.
“When he’s ready, he’s ready, and our job as a team is to do the very best we can until he’s ready to go,” Drinkwitz said. “And if that’s in a couple weeks, great. And if it’s not, it’s not. There’s nobody that can control it.”
While Hardy continues to work his way back, Jamal Roberts has proven to be more than capable of taking the reins as Mizzou‘s lead back. That included Week 5’s game against Florida, which saw him total a career-best 211 yards and three touchdowns, his first time with multiple scores. Roberts’ 606 yards are second in the SEC and just seven behind Jadan Baugh, who was held to 13 yards against the Tigers.
Roberts has been nothing short of impressive. But Eli Drinkwitz is looking forward to having Hardy back. While the Tigers head coach didn’t give a timeline, it certainly won’t be in Week 6 against Texas A&M on Saturday.
“When you’re trying to be the best running back in the country, and that’s what you were previously, it’s a lot of work and time to get back there, and his body’s just not ready yet,” Drinkwitz said.
“So he’s doing everything he can. Our medical staff is doing everything they can. And we all wish it was right now, but it’s not.”
Sydney is an Atlanta-based journalist who has covered everything from SEC and ACC football to MLS, the U.S. men's national soccer team and professional tennis. His work has appeared on such platforms as SB Nation, Cox Media Group and FanSided.
