Travis Hunter injury update: Colorado football star's status for Stanford game
Colorado two-way football star Travis Hunter could return to the field in time for Friday's game against Stanford as he recovers from an injury, Buffaloes head coach Deion Sanders told reporters on Tuesday.
"There’s a tremendous chance he could play. He has to be in shape. I don’t want him to be a liability," Sanders said, Brian Howell of the Boulder Daily Camera.
Hunter sustained the injury during Colorado's overtime victory over Colorado State on Sept. 16, when he absorbed a hard hit from Rams safety Henry Blackburn that required a trip to a local hospital during the game.
Hunter was seen at a recent Colorado practice, a major step towards his being able to return to live action in the near future.
If Hunter is able to return by Friday, it would run in line with the team's original prediction that he would miss three games before being able to play again.
Colorado allowed 90 combined points in consecutive losses to Oregon and USC since then but rebounded with a road win against Arizona State, moving to 4-2 overall and 1-2 in Pac-12 conference play.
Hunter, a noted two-way player on offense and defense, caught 16 passes for 233 yards and recorded an interception, 9 tackles, and 2 pass breakups this year.
Related: Colorado vs. Stanford picks, predictions
Colorado ranks 127th out of 133 FBS college football teams in passing defense this season, allowing an average of 302.5 yards per game, is surrendering 11.2 yards per pass completion, and ranks 122nd in scoring defense, allowing 34.2 points per game.
But the Buffaloes also rank No. 8 nationally in passing offense production behind quarterback Shedeur Sanders, averaging more than 337 yards per game, a decided advantage against a Stanford defense that is 128th in passing defense this season.
(Howell)
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