Isaiah Hardge, Chidozie Nwankwo injury update: Status revealed for Colorado defenders vs. Colorado State

Isaiah Hardge and Chidozie Nwankwo have been ruled out for Colorado’s rivalry game against Colorado State, according to The Daily Camera’s Brian Howell. Both players were dealing with injuries throughout the week.

Hardge injured his lower leg against Nebraska last week, Deion Sanders said afterward, and Nwankwo suffered what was believed to be an AC joint sprain in his shoulder. They dealt with the injuries throughout the week, but will not be able to play Saturday.

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The two injuries mean Colorado will be even more shorthanded on defense. Shilo Sanders will also miss Saturday’s game due to injury, as Coach Prime indicated after the Nebraska game.

“I think Hardge did something with his foot on one of the punts. Shilo, I think suffered a — I don’t know the extent of the injury but I know he did something to his forearm that put him out for the rest of the game. Chidoze, I think it’s an AC joint or something like that. I think he’s going to be alright, I think he’s going to consequently play this upcoming week. I don’t know about Shilo,” Sanders said.

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“And Shedeur got dinged a bit on that, what’d they call it, intentional, helmet-to-helmet, targeting. He got dinged a little bit. So we just wanted to take care of him and get him out of there.” 

Colorado will likely get some good news, though. Linebacker LaVonta Bentley is reportedly expected to play in Saturday’s matchup after getting some time in practice this week. Sanders offered a promising update earlier in the week and also hinted Hardge might not be able to go against Colorado State.

“I don’t know if (Isaiah) Hardge is going to play this week,” Sanders said. “Bentley? He practiced today. He’s getting it together. He’s still limping a little bit,” added Sanders. “Probably give him tomorrow off because we know what we’re going to get from him on Saturday.”

Bentley spent four years at Clemson before transferring to Colorado prior to the 2023 season. This year, he has 10 total tackles, eight solo tackles, one tackle for loss and one sack.

Bentley set career highs with Colorado last season. He racked up 68 tackles, 11 tackles for loss and five sacks.

The Buffaloes are coming off a 28-10 loss to Nebraska on the road last week. They will close out the non-conference portion of their schedule Saturday night against Colorado State before returning to Folsom Field for the Big 12 opener against Baylor in Week 4.