Deion Sanders Says Travis Hunter Won’t Play in Colorado’s Game Against USC

The Buffaloes’ two-way star badly wants to return to action as soon as possible.

Colorado football coach Deion Sanders is shutting down the idea of having two-way star Travis Hunter return from injury for the Buffaloes’ game Saturday against USC.

Hunter texted Sanders to explain his desire to play against the Trojans, and Sanders shared Hunter’s words with the team in a video posted by Well Off Media on Monday.

“I need to play this week,” Hunter wrote, via Sanders. “We need to get everything we can so I can get back on the field. I’m not taking no for an answer.”

Although Colorado is coming off its first loss of the season and facing a key Pac-12 matchup against USC, Sanders said he won’t allow Hunter to play because of concern for the defensive back/wide receiver’s long-term health.

“No, you ain’t ready, and I care about you more than I care about this game,” Sanders said, reading a text he sent in reply to Hunter. “You’re gonna change the game of football one day when you’re healthy and ready. Your future is brighter than mine ever will be and ever was. Relax and get healthy. I love you son.”

Hunter suffered an injury after a taking massive hit in the first quarter of Colorado’s win over Colorado State on Sept. 16. After missing Saturday’s game at Oregon, Hunter is likely to miss Colorado’s matchups against USC and Arizona State before potentially returning against Stanford on Oct. 13.