Report: Colorado Likely to Be Without Key Defender for USC Game on Saturday

Colorado likely will be without the services of one member of the Sanders family for Saturday’s key game against No. 8 USC in Boulder.

Buffaloes safety Shilo Sanders, one of coach Deion Sanders’s two sons on the team, is considered doubtful to play against the Trojans in the Pac-12 contest, per ESPN’s Pete Thamel. The graduate student did not practice this week as he recovers from a kidney injury suffered in last week’s loss to Oregon that caused him to urinate blood.

Deion Sanders implied earlier in the week that it would be an uphill battle for Shilo to take the field, despite his son’s pleas to be cleared.

If Sanders isn’t able to suit up, Colorado’s secondary could be in for a long day against the high-powered passing attack of USC, led by standout quarterback and possible No. 1 pick Caleb Williams. The Buffaloes enter the game ranked No. 111 in the country in passing defense, having given up 269.2 yards per game through the air through four weeks. Despite the unit’s struggles, Shilo Sanders has been a bright spot, racking up 26 tackles, a forced fumble and an 80-yard interception return for touchdown on the year.

Without Sanders and two-way star Travis Hunter, the back end of Colorado’s defense will face a tall task on Saturday at home. Kickoff from Folsom Field is scheduled for noon ET on Fox.