Missouri’s first SEC availability report of the week brought little surprise on the Ahmad Hardy front and one notable question mark on defense.
The Tigers listed Hardy as out for Saturday’s trip to Mississippi State, along with backup running back Malae Fonoti, reserve safety JaDon Blair and tight end Gavin Hoffman. Starting defensive end Darris Smith landed on the questionable line, which keeps him in play for now but not cleared yet.
Smith was helped off the field in Missouri’s win over Troy last Saturday after a lower-body injury in the second half. He tried to come back, but he lasted just one snap before heading back to the sideline. If he can’t go, Langden Kitchen and Daeden Hopkins would be the most likely starters at defensive end.
Hardy’s situation remains the one Missouri has been managing for months. He was shot in the upper leg in May, and his return date is still unsettled. Eli Drinkwitz has already said he wants to see two full weeks of full-speed practice from Hardy before putting him back in a game, and it’s not clear whether he has practiced with the team since the season began.
With Hardy unavailable, Jamal Roberts is set to handle the bulk of Missouri’s rushing load, with Xai'Shaun Edwards working as the No. 2 back.
Mississippi State’s report also came with several names to track. The Bulldogs ruled out defensive tackles Trevion Williams and Diesel Moye, while linebacker Zakari Tillman was listed as probable and wide receiver Ayden Williams as out.
Missouri and Mississippi State meet Saturday at 6:45 p.m. CT at Davis Wade Stadium in Starkville, Mississippi, with the game set for SEC Network. More availability reports will follow Thursday and Friday night, and then one final update will come Saturday about 90 minutes before kickoff.
Missouri football’s full Wednesday availability report
RB Ahmad Hardy (Out)
DE Darris Smith (Questionable)
RB Malae Fonoti (Out)
RT Josh Atkins (Out)
TE Gavin Hoffman (Out)
S JaDon Blair (Out)
Mississippi State full Wednesday availability report
DT Trevion Williams (Out)
DT Diesel Moye (Out)
LB Zakari Tillman (Probable)
WR Ayden Williams (Out)
What is the availability report?
The SEC-mandated reports are required of member organizations every night beginning Wednesday in the leadup to an in-conference matchup, with the final report publishing 90 minutes before kickoff.
The possible designations, from most likely to play to least likely, are as follows: available; probable; questionable; doubtful; out.
The reports are not technically injury reports, which some teams - Mizzou often included - provided in years prior. Instead, they are lists that include any players ruled unavailable or possibly unavailable for upcoming games. That could be for any number of reasons, including but not limited to injuries.
The reports are only mandated before in-conference matchups.
In Other News...
Mizzou Hoops Is Finally Back And November Starts Fast
The first official practices have arrived for both Mizzou basketball teams, and the calendar is about to turn quickly for a program with a lot going on across the board. The women are first up, with an exhibition against Lincoln University before the regular season begins against Howard, while the men have already started getting their work in and will head into exhibition play at Kansas State and UNLV before opening against Cleveland State.
It is the kind of early-November stretch that gives Missouri fans plenty to keep track of, even beyond the hardwood. Mizzou womens golf also put together a productive week, with two players gaining temporary eligibility and senior Addie Dobson picking up the first tournament win of her career, a nice reminder that there is plenty of momentum building in Columbia as the new season gets rolling. [Read more 🡒]
Mizzou Faces An SEC Test Built To Rattle Them Early
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For Missouri, the challenge is as much about composure as it is about coverage. Containing Taylor means keeping him from extending plays and preventing Mississippi State from turning routine downs into long afternoons for the defense. If the Tigers can settle in quickly and match the intensity around them, they give themselves a chance to make an early SEC statement, but this trip figures to ask plenty of questions before it offers any answers. [Read more 🡒]
Austin Simmons Just Added Fuel To A Mississippi State Rivalry
Missouri is heading into a ranked SEC matchup with Mississippi State, and one of the more interesting subplots already involves Austin Simmons. The Tigers quarterback, who previously played at Ole Miss, has plenty of familiarity with this rivalry and knows exactly what kind of atmosphere awaits when Mississippi State fans get rolling, especially once the cowbells start in.
Simmons made clear he is not particularly concerned about the noise, even as the buildup around Starkville has intensified. For Missouri, that only adds a little more edge to a game that already carries plenty of weight, with the SEC Network set to carry the broadcast and both teams trying to make a statement in conference play. [Read more 🡒]