Colorado’s Shedeur Sanders Leaves Game vs. Washington State Due to Injury

The Colorado Buffaloes quarterback was knocked out of his team’s game early in the second quarter after taking hits to his throwing arm and ankle.

Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders left his team’s game at Washington State on Friday night after suffering a pair of injuries.

Sanders initially got hit on the right forearm during the first quarter of the Buffaloes-Cougars game at Martin Stadium and had difficulty gripping the ball from that point forward, his father, Colorado coach Deion Sanders, said after the game. The junior quarterback left the game for one series, and shortly after returning, he took another hit while trying to recover an unexpected snap early in the second quarter. Deion Sanders said afterward that Shedeur suffered an ankle injury on the play.

FS1 broadcaster Tim Brando said Sanders was “out with a bad arm” prior to kickoff of the second half. Sanders was seen out of uniform in warmups during the second half.

Sanders completed six of 10 passes for 86 yards, including a 45-yard touchdown to Travis Hunter, prior to the injury. Sanders had broken the Colorado school record for passing yards in a single season moments before leaving the game. He currently has registered 3,230 passing yards on the season.

Colorado snaps the ball with Shedeur not ready, and he's shaken up again. pic.twitter.com/SF6qprYmmp

— Ian Valentino (@NFLDraftStudy) November 18, 2023

Ryan Staub replaced Sanders both times he left the game in the first half, completing two of five passes for 18 yards. He finished the game with five completions in 14 attempts for 56 yards.

Gavin Kuld also saw time at quarterback for the Buffaloes in the second half, completing one of three passes for 22 yards with an interception.

The Cougars (5–6, 2–6 Pac-12) went on to beat the Buffaloes (4–7, 1–7), 56-14.

Sanders had taken several hits prior to the one that knocked him out of the game. One led to a 40-yard fumble return touchdown by Cougars defensive end Brennan Jackson.

Sanders has been sacked 53 times this season.