Travis Hunter injury update: Deion Sanders gives latest on Colorado star before Cincinnati game

Colorado two-way star Travis Hunter was able to suit up last weekend in a win over Arizona, but he also didn’t look like himself. Hunter managed only two catches for 17 yards and one tackle in the 34-7 win.

Buffaloes head coach Deion Sanders said on Thursday that he expects Travis Hunter to be much more involved when Colorado faces Cincinnati this Saturday.

“Travis is good. Travis is much better than last week. He should be able to contribute a lot more – 14 the same the way,” Deion Sanders said.

The 14 Sanders is referring to is receiver Will Sheppard, who had four catches for 54 yards against Arizona.

Sanders also explained just what kind of impact having Travis Hunter in the game can make for Colorado, on both sides of the ball.

“You need his presence,” Sanders said. “See the thing about it, he may not have made a play. But just him on that side on offense, it pulls that safety over… it forces them to play something. Because you don’t want to leave him 1-on-1. So it forces them to do some things they wouldn’t normally do.

“Then when he’s on the defensive side of the ball, the quarterback’s not going to do that. You’re not going to take that chance to see if he’s healthy. Who wants to see if he’s healthy? It may cost you 6 points.”

So far this season, Travis Hunter leaders Colorado with 51 catches for 604 yards and six touchdowns. He also has 19 tackles, 2 interceptions and 3 pass breakups.

Hunter was injured against Kansas State earlier this month and was shut down for the second half of last week’s game against Arizona after the Buffaloes built a big lead.

“The first fade we threw to him, he couldn’t extend and go get it,” Shedeur 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.”