Ahmad Hardy to miss first week of the season

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

Mizzou football coach Eli Drinkwitz gave an update on the All-American running back.

After the final practice of the fall training camp, coach Drinkwitz gave an update on Ahmad Hardy, saying that he would not be available for the first game of the season.

"Ahmad has been working his rear end off, he's doing everything we can ask him to do," coach Drinkwitz said. "But he's just not going to be able to be ready for that first game."

You can watch the full press conference with Coach Drinkwitz in the video player below.

Back on July 20, Drinkwitz announced that Hardy had been 'medically cleared' to begin the rehabilitation process, and said the return to play protocol could take anywhere from five to eight weeks.

At that five week check up, Hardy has still not practiced with the team and will require a few more weeks before he is ready to go. He will miss the first contest of the year against Arkansas-Pine Bluff, and is now estimated to return sometime in mid-September, but no set date has been announced.

"Ahmad has been here every day, worked really hard, facing the adversity of not responding the way he wants to." Drinkwitz said. "He wishes it was ready to go yesterday, which we all do, but still staying positive and attacking it."

Mizzou will need Hardy to be able to have a two-week ramp up, where he's full go in practice, before he will be able to play in a game. Coach Eli said they're, obviously, not at that point right now, but will be hoping to get Hardy back as soon as possible.

In the interim, the Tigers are not lacking in talent in the backfield. Veteran running back Jamal Roberts is back for another year in the black and gold and has taken on a bigger leadership role than ever before, having been voted captain by his teammates.

"Jamal's been phenomenal," he said. "I think he's responded the right way and has had an excellent camp."

Mizzou will open up the season on Thursday, Sept. 3 against Arkansas-Pine Bluff at 7 p.m.