Colorado's Travis Hunter Heads to Locker Room After Suffering Shoulder Injury vs. KSU

Colorado wide receiver and cornerback Travis Hunter left the second quarter of Saturday night's home game against No. 18 Kansas State to get a right shoulder injury evaluated, per ESPN's Quint Kessenich (h/t ESPN's Max Olson.)

Kessenich said on the ESPN broadcast that Hunter returned to the game after his initial sideline visit to medical staff, but eventually left for the locker room.

He was listed by the team as questionable to return, per Olson.

Colton Hood stepped in for Hunter at cornerback after his exit.

Hunter had recorded three catches for 26 yards, in addition to one solo tackle, prior to leaving the game.

He also made a block to allow LaJohntay Wester to catch-and-run in the Buffaloes' first touchdown of the game.

It was not clear exactly when the injury occurred, but Kessenich said wide receiver Omarion Miller had looked to sub in for Hunter during a Colorado offensive drive earlier in the game.

"Hunter with that right shoulder pain... the medical staff looked at him. He came over, grimacing in pain. They came over to him again, and this is the second time in this game that he has walked off," Kessenich said. "Amazing toughness, too, because Omarion Miller wanted to substitute himself into the game, Travis waved him off. But finally, he's in the locker room now, getting further evaluated."

Any missed time for Hunter would be a major blow to Colorado, as the two-way star has spent his junior season playing almost every snap for the Buffaloes.

Hunter was averaging 130 snaps per game through the first five contests of the season. His 561 receiving yards and six touchdowns on offense, combined with 16 tackles and two interceptions on defense, had earned him early buzz as a rare non-quarterback Heisman Trophy candidate heading into Saturday's matchup.

The Colorado star has repeatedly said that he hopes to play both positions in the NFL, although some scouts have indicated injury risks will eventually lead him to focus on one over the other.

For now Deion Sander and the Buffaloes will hope for Hunter's speedy return as they look for players like Miller and Hood to step up in his absence.