Missouri football star Ahmad Hardy is set to return to the field on Saturday, five months after he was left fighting for his career due to a gunshot wound.

The 20-year-old running back, who led the SEC in rushing yards in 2025, was shot at a rap concert in Mississippi during the offseason, just weeks after welcoming his first-born son into the world.

He has spent the first half of the season rehabbing and ESPN insider Pete Thamel reported on Thursday that he is now finally set to take to the field.

Posting on X, Thamel quoted sources and revealed that Hardy won't start, but is 'expected to get a handful of carries'.

Hardy returned to practice for the first time this week and is stepping up his preparations as he edges closer to full health. 

According to a KansasCity Star report back in May, the incident occurred when a crowd formed in the parking lot after a rap concert at Kamakazy Biker Club in Laurel, Mississippi. Seconds later, gunfire suddenly 'erupted.'

Hardy was believed to be a passenger in a vehicle aiming to exit the scene when he was shot in the leg, Laurel police Sgt Macon Davis claimed.

Davis, who described the scene as 'mass chaos' due to several vehicles trying to leave at once, added: 'As I understand it, Mr. Hardy was already inside a vehicle trying to get off of the property, and was shot while in the car, which was very unfortunate for him.'

Ahead of the season, Missouri coaches had revealed that Hardy had been medically cleared to resume football activities, but his return to action has taken longer than many thought would be the case.

The Tigers are 5-2 for the season, and clung onto a spot in the AP Top 25 rankings after last week's loss to No 12 Ole Miss.

With their season still alive, Hardy's return is a significant boost to the offense, though much still depends on how many carries he is given.

Missouri plays unranked Arkansas on the road this week, before the visit of Arch Manning and Texas on November 7. 

Last season, Hardy ran for 1,649 yards – second in the FBS overall – and scored 16 touchdowns in helping the Tigers go 8-5, with an eventual loss to Virginia in the Gator Bowl.