What happened: Missouri running back Ahmad Hardy is alert and moving a day after being injured in an early Sunday shooting in Mississippi, sources told ESPN's Pete Thamel. There is optimism Hardy will play football again, though his timeline for return and the long-term impact of the injury remain unknown. Missouri said a timeline for Hardy's return to football activities is unknown at this time.

Why it matters: Hardy is one of Mizzou's most important offensive pieces heading into the upcoming 2026 college football season, and any extended absence would reshape the Tigers' backfield depth chart and SEC outlook. The optimism around his recovery is a meaningful turn after initial reports indicated he underwent surgery following the shooting. Off-field violence affecting a power-conference starter also raises program-wide questions about player safety and offseason support.

What to watch: Watch for an official Missouri medical update with a recovery window and any law-enforcement update on the Mississippi shooting investigation. Depth-chart signals from Mizzou's summer camp will indicate how the staff plans to