Colorado State two-way star Travis Hunter is expected to play in Buffalo’s home game against Stanford on Friday, according to . Hunter, who has missed Colorado’s last three games due to an injury suffered in Week 3 against Colorado State, is expected to play on both offense and defense against the Cardinals with a controlled snap count.
Hunter participated in the team’s preliminary warm-ups before the game, further fueling speculation that the two-way star will return to Buffalo’s lineup.
Buffalo head coach Deion Sanders told reporters earlier this week Hunter has been medically cleared to return after missing Colorado’s first three Pac-12 games and has a “huge opportunity” to attend the game against the Cardinals. Hunter left the Colorado State game with a lacerated liver after being hit on offense in the first half.
If Hunter plays on Friday, his timetable for return will be moved up. Sanders previously expressed hope that Hunter could resume football activities during Colorado’s upcoming Week 8 bye before Buffalo faces UCLA in Week 9.
Hunter, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2022 cycle, followed Sanders to Colorado after spending the 2022 season at Jackson State and proved to be an instant impact player as Buffalo started 3-0, But lost two of its first three games and is 4-2 in Pac-12 play. Hunter had 16 receptions for 213 yards, nine total tackles, one interception and two pass breakups before going down with an injury against the Rams.
The Pac-12 game between Colorado and Stanford will be a showdown between two first-year coaches, with the Cardinals entering the game at 1-4 in Troy Taylor’s first season.
