Deion Sanders: Travis Hunter Injured Shoulder, No Talk of Return in K-State Loss

Colorado head coach Deion Sanders didn't provide additional insight into Travis Hunter's shoulder injury but confirmed there were no plans to bring the two-way star back midway through Saturday's 31-28 loss to Kansas State.

Hunter walked back to the locker room in the second quarter and was visibly favoring his right shoulder.

In his postgame press conference, Sanders told reporters the junior "was just there to support his team" when he came back to the sideline in the second half and didn't return to the field.

In addition to Hunter, the Buffaloes had to finish the game without wide receivers Jimmy Horn Jr. and Omarion Miller due to injuries.

"Certainly, losing Travis and Jimmy and others was tremendous because they're a vital part of our team, a vital part of our identity," Sanders said after the defeat. "They're a vital part of who we are. So that took a blow. That took a lot out of us."

Since the extent of Hunter's shoulder problem remains unknown, it's too early for Colorado fans to reach for the panic button. But they're probably thinking back to how his three-game absence in 2023 due to a lacerated liver dovetailed with the start of the Buffs' slide following a 3-0 start.

The wide receiver/defensive back is one of the team's most irreplaceable players along with quarterback Shedeur Sanders. He's the leading pass-catcher (49 receptions, 587 yards and six touchdowns) with 17 tackles, two interceptions, three pass breakups and one forced fumble on the other side of the ball..

The Buffaloes' schedule doesn't look as imposing down the stretch as it did last season. Utah is the only ranked team left and the No. 16 Utes are coming off back-to-back losses to Arizona and Arizona State.

Even if Hunter is out for an extended period, Colorado shouldn't totally bottom out once again. But its outsider bid for the College Football Playoff could be off the table, while Hunter's Heisman Trophy campaign would suffer a major blow.