Hardy out for Week 1 in latest Drinkwitz update following fall camp

Drinkwitz wants to see Hardy go at practice for a full two weeks before he can see the field in a game. ESPN's Pete Thamel initially reported that a mid-September return was the target for Hardy, while Drinkwitz said he wants him back as “soon as possible”.

“I just know that right now we needed a full two-week ramp-up period of practice before we would have allowed him to play the game, and that time frame has passed,” Drinkwitz said. “So, does that mean mid-September? I don't know. Does it mean mid-October? I don't know. I need a two-week fully invested, being able to practice at full speed before we consider playing him in a game."

MU’s trainers and the rest of the coaching staff are taking the time needed to get Hardy back to full strength. 

“We're going to do the very best by him and his team and our medical team,” Drinkwitz said. “Just feel like right now it's in his best interest to hold off. So I want to make sure that I get that out there to the fans now, so there's no false hope there."

Senior Jamal Roberts has assumed the lead back role in Hardy’s absence. He’s emerged as a productive runner in the backfield, while also flexing his leadership muscles.

Drinkwitz told reporters that Roberts was named a captain by his teammates Friday. Behind Roberts in the running back room are Xai’Shaun Edwards, Malae Fonoti and Max Warner, three players who have some hints of production in their pasts but have yet to do it in the Southeastern Conference.

Simmons leads highlights of Saturday’s scrimmage

In Missouri’s scrimmage to close fall camp Saturday night, quarterback Austin Simmons started fast and made several “really big time throws,” according to Drinkwitz.

On the first drive, Simmons had no incompletions and ended it with a touchdown pass of what Drinkwitz estimated to be 35-40 yards to wide receiver Caleb Goodie down the middle of the field.

A transfer from Cincinnati, Goodie’s speed makes him one of the best deep threats in Missouri’s offense.

“Just knowing his speed, being able to get him downfield and get the ball in his hands,” wide receiver Donovan Olugbode said of Goodie . “Great to have (him) on the team.”

On the second drive, Simmons threw a pass to the back shoulder of Olugbode for a touchdown.

Drinkwitz called Saturday the best scrimmage Simmons has had since joining Missouri.

“Overall, I thought he did a nice job of just learning his teammates, knowing the situations, being comfortable in the offense, understanding checks and maneuvering the offense the way we need to,” Drinkwitz said.

Another offensive highlight included tight end Brett Norfleet leaping over a safety for a 45-yard reception.

Other offensive drives were hampered by what Drinkwitz called moments without full attention to detail, including a few false starts penalties that stunted drives.

Defensively, several players in the secondary created takeaways. Cornerbacks Chris Graves Jr. and Jahlil Florence, along with STAR Kensley Louidor-Faustin, all grabbed an interception throughout the scrimmage.

On special teams, kicker Blake Craig went 4-for-5 on his attempts, only missing from 53 yards. 

Drinkwitz provides other injury updates

Hardy’s injury recovery has been arguably the biggest storyline surrounding Mizzou football this fall, but other players got dinged up as well. 

Freshman wide receiver Jabari Brady, who exited Wednesday's practice, suffered an hyperextended knee and a bone bruise.

“I don't know if it'll be Monday, but I anticipate by the end of the week he'll be back in,” Drinkwitz said.

Defensive tackle Donta Simpson was a notable one who was held out to start fall camp, but he was available in the later weeks.

Simpson had a medical condition that prevented him from practicing until Aug. 11. He’s been cleared and ready to go since, taking “every rep he needed to take” during Saturday’s scrimmage.

Tight end Gavin Hoffman was another who’d been nicked up during fall camp. He suffered a grade 1 hamstring strain, but is expected to be back by Monday. Freshman offensive lineman Braylon Ellison was the final injury update, having suffered an undisclosed injury on the first Wednesday of fall camp.

Drinkwitz anticipates Ellison will be close to returning around the Week 1 game against Arkansas-Pine Bluff on Sept. 3 at Memorial Stadium.