Jimmy Horn Jr., Micah Welch injury updates: Deion Sanders reveals chance of playing vs. Kansas

The Colorado Buffaloes are now in a position to make a run at the College Football Playoff this season. To do that, head coach Deion Sanders knows it’s going to take a full team effort, which means getting as healthy as possible.

Ahead of the Kansas game, Sanders shared the likelihood that running back Micah Welch and wide receiver Jimmy Horn Jr. are able to play in the game.

“Micah’s gonna play,” Deion Sanders said. “We don’t know — hopefully, Jimmy can work tomorrow or Thursday. I don’t give a darn if Jimmy works Friday. If he showed me he can run, he’s gonna play. Just Jimmy’s presence out there on the field alone strikes fear in the opposition.”

Horn came to Colorado as a transfer from USF ahead of the 2023 season. Since then, he’s become a vital weapon for the Buffaloes on offense. In nine games this season, Horn has 33 receptions for 434 yards. That’s 13.2 yards per reception. He also has a touchdown and carried the ball once. At times, Horn has also returned kicks and punts. So, he fills several key roles for Colorado.

Sanders has been without Horn since partway through the Texas Tech game. That was when he went down with an apparent lower-body injury. Since then, Colorado has been taking it day-by-day with him but he was forced to miss the Utah game.

If there is a bright side to the injury, it’s that Colorado is deep and has plenty of talented wide receivers. That, of course, starts with Travis Hunter. However, beyond him, the Buffaloes are able to rely on stars like LaJohntay Wester and Will Sheppard. Those three have combined for 23 touchdown catches this season.

For his part, Micah Welch is a freshman who has made an impact on the ground for Colorado. He has rushed for 121 yards on 24 carries with three touchdowns on the season.

Deion Sanders addresses Colorado future, other opportunities

Amid rumors that the NFL could have interest in Deion Sanders, he shared that he’s happy at Colorado and not looking for another opportunity right now.

“You don’t talk like that with my A.D. in here. That’s so disrespectful. You’re going to talk about me going somewhere with my A.D. in here? They mentioned us with a lot of other stuff, too, before we started winning, didn’t they? That wasn’t fair, was it? Price. There’s a price of everything,” Sanders said.

“I am happy where I am, man. I’m good. I got a kickstand down. You know what a kickstand is? A lot of people in here at an age they don’t know what a kickstand is. That means I’m resting, I’m good, I’m happy. I’m excited, I’m enthusiastic about where I am. I love it here, truly do. Next question.”