Texas A&M won’t have to deal with one of college football’s most dangerous running backs Saturday at Missouri.

Tigers coach Eli Drinkwitz confirmed Tuesday that Ahmad Hardy will not play against the Aggies, extending the All-American running back’s absence as he continues working his way back from an offseason leg injury.

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Hardy hasn’t played this season after rushing for a Missouri-record 1,649 yards and 16 touchdowns in 2025, averaging 6.4 yards per carry. His absence removes a major weapon from the No. 14 Tigers’ offense, but it certainly doesn’t make Mike Elko’s defensive assignment easy.

“He’s doing everything he can,” Drinkwitz said. “Our medical staff is doing everything they can, and we all wish it was right now, but it’s not.”

Drinkwitz said Hardy still isn’t ready to begin the full two-week practice ramp-up Missouri requires before clearing him for game action.

“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,” Drinkwitz said. “His body’s just not ready yet.”

Missouri has managed without him.

Quarterback Austin Simmons has thrown for 1,287 yards and 13 touchdowns without an interception through five games. Cayden Lee and Donovan Olugbode have emerged as his primary weapons, while senior running back Jamal Roberts has provided plenty of production on the ground.

Roberts is coming off his biggest performance of the season, rushing for 211 yards and three touchdowns on 24 carries in Missouri’s 45-17 victory over Florida.

Texas A&M arrives in Columbia with some momentum of its own after snapping a two-game SEC losing streak with a 34-7 victory over Arkansas. The Aggies rushed for 231 yards and delivered a much stronger defensive performance after losses to Kentucky and LSU.

Hardy being unavailable helps.

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But with Simmons protecting the football, Missouri’s receivers producing explosive plays and Roberts carrying the running game, Texas A&M still faces one of its toughest defensive tests of the season.

The Aggies and No. 14 Tigers kick off Saturday at 11 a.m. CT on ABC in Columbia.

Source: Yahoo Sports