Travis Hunter injury update: Deion Sanders explains departure vs. Arizona

Deion Sanders offered an update on Colorado star Travis Hunter, who sat out the second half Saturday against Arizona after reaggravating a right shoulder injury. According to the Buffaloes coach, Hunter is “a little sore” after battling through the injury to play the first half.

It seems that he could have continued to play if Colorado really needed him to. However, with the Buffaloes leading 28-7 at halftime, Sanders opted to err on the side of caution.

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“A little sore, a little banged up,” the coach said postgame. “Travis wanted to play. I don’t know if he was quite 100 percent ready, but a half of Travis is a whole of somebody else. But it affects us on two sides of the ball. He went out there and showed face and tried his best to do what he’s capable of doing.”

Hunter suffered the injury last week in a 31-28 loss to Kansas State and did not return after leaving the game toward the end of the first half. Sanders could tell that he wasn’t quite himself in the first half as he recorded only two catches for 17 yards.

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That ultimately led to the coach’s decision to shut him down with the lead in hand.

“The first fade we threw to him, he couldn’t extend and go get it,” Sanders said. “He kind of reacted late. That’s not Travis. I said, ‘Man, that’s not you. What are you doing? Are you OK?’ He didn’t want to come off the field. You know how he is. But I’m proud of him. The kid is phenomenal. He’s a competitor and he just wanted to play.”

Hunter has been a valuable piece for the Buffaloes this season with 51 catches for 605 yards and six touchdowns in addition to 19 tackles, two interceptions and three passes defended. However, he has just five catches for 43 yards over the past two games.

Travis Hunter should be expected to play next week as it doesn’t seem the injury is too serious. Colorado improved to 5-2 (3-1 Big 12) and will face Cincinnati at 10:15 p.m. ET next Saturday.