Deion Sanders responds to Travis Hunter after injured Colorado star pleads: ‘I need to play this week’

Colorado has a pivotal matchup coming up against No. 8 USC after it suffered its first loss of the season, falling to No. 9 Oregon in Week 3. Travis Hunter, who is expected to be out at least two more weeks due to injury, wants to be back on the field for the clash with the Trojans.

Coach Deion Sanders read a message from Hunter of the two-way phenom asking to return to the field, during which he was adamant he was going to come back on Saturday.

“I need to play this week. We need to get everything we can so I can get back on the field. I’m not taking no for an answer,” Hunter said, per Sanders.

— RK (@RyanKoenigsberg) September 25, 2023

MORE: Sanders says ‘you better get me now’ after Colorado’s loss to Oregon

Hunter was initially ruled out for three weeks when he suffered an injury in the team’s Week 3 win against Colorado State. He has missed just one week, and would be back two weeks earlier than expected if he returned for the team’s home game against the Trojans on Saturday.

And with that, Sanders responded that he would not be having Hunter return to the field just yet.

“No, you ain’t ready and I care about you more than I care about this game. You going to change the game of football one when you’re healthy and ready. Your future is brighter than mine ever would and ever was. Relax and healthy. I love you son,” Sanders said he wrote back to Hunter.

“I care about y’all more than I care about this game,” Sanders said, addressing his team. “But I want you to learn throughout this game and through our trials and tribulations who you are.”

With Hunter out on Saturday, the Buffaloes lost their first game of the season, getting blown out by Oregon 42-6. The Buffaloes’ season won’t get any easier with a game against USC on Saturday. Based on Sanders’ initial timeline, Hunter would still be out for the team’s Week 6 game against Arizona State.

What is Travis Hunter’s injury?

Fox Sports’ Skip Bayless reported he had been told Hunter had a “lacerated liver.” Neither Colorado nor Sanders has confirmed Bayless’ report.

Hunter sustained the injury in the first quarter of Colorado’s game against Colorado State. He came up empty trying to catch a pass from Shedeur Sanders, and was hit by safety Henry Blackburn, who drew a personal foul call for the late hit. Hunter returned during the first half, but was out for the remainder of the game.

MORE: Why wasn’t Henry Blackburn ejected for hit on Travis Hunter?

Hunter has been one of college football’s biggest stories in his first several games with Colorado. He has caught 16 passes for 213 yards as a wide receiver while making nine combined tackles and an interception. According to PFF, he has allowed only four catches on 12 targets, breaking up three passes and allowing only one touchdown.

How long is Travis Hunter out?

Sanders had said Hunter was out for three weeks, which would keep him out through the Arizona State game. He initially had described Hunter’s absence as “a few weeks.”

Hunter had been taken to the hospital following his hit from Blackburn, but left the hospital on Sept. 18.

MORE: Deion Sanders, Travis Hunter condemn death threats against Henry Blackburn

“We’re going to do what we’ve got to do to take care of him,” Sanders said after the team’s win over Colorado State. “So I know Travis like a book, he probably is going to want to be out for two weeks, but we’ve got to make sure his health is more important than this game.”

As it turns out, Hunter wanted to be out only one week. But Sanders won’t budge on the stance that Hunter stay out until he’s back to full health. 

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