The Colorado Buffaloes’ Week 8 injury picture still isn’t clean, but Thursday’s update brought a little relief and a fresh dose of concern.
Colorado was still projected to be without seven players against Oklahoma State after Wednesday’s official availability report, and that number did not budge. But the Buffs did get a pair of key boosts deeper on the injury list, with Ashley and Lester both moving from questionable to probable.
That matters, especially on defense. Lester’s possible return stands out most because he has been such a disruptive force when available.
He has four sacks, which is tied for second in the Big 12, and only Koron Hayward of the TCU Horned Frogs has more by half a sack. If Lester is back on Saturday, Colorado gets a player who can make quarterback Drew Mestemaker uncomfortable and speed up his decisions.
Ashley’s return would also help. The true freshman had started to make regular appearances at nickel before getting hurt, and he had been giving Colorado useful depth at a spot that had been shaky overall. If he’s back at the same level, or better, a starting job at nickel is still in play.
But the news was not all positive. Richardson and Atkins were already ruled out for the Week 8 game, and Thursday’s injury report removal points toward something more serious than a one-week absence. Their status now looks less like a game-time question and more like a sign they could miss substantial time.
Atkins’ loss is a big hit to Colorado’s tight end room. He had been the other main receiving threat at the position next to Charlie Williams, and with him out, the Buffs become much more limited there. Fisher Clements, whose game is rooted more in blocking, is now the only other tight end besides Williams to log meaningful snaps this season.
Richardson’s timing could hardly be worse. The fifth-year Missouri Tigers transfer had just started to establish himself as a starter for Colorado before a leg injury in Week 7 against the then-No. 11 Utah Utes cut that momentum short.
Colorado has seen this pattern before. Center Demetrius Hunter and linebacker Tyler Martinez were both listed on injury reports before later undergoing surgeries, after which they disappeared from the report entirely and have not played since. Thursday’s change for Richardson and Atkins could be pointing in the same direction.
In Other News...
Reagan Kotschau Gave Colorado Fans Another Reason To Celebrate
Colorados womens soccer team kept rolling with a 4-0 win over Arizona, getting goals from four different players and another clean sheet in a season that has been defined by control on both ends. Senior midfielder Reagan Kotschau was right in the middle of it, helping the Buffaloes dictate the pace while head coach Danny Sanchez saw his group back up the momentum with another convincing road performance.
Kotschau also gave Buffaloes fans a milestone to remember, adding to a season that has already featured plenty of production from the veteran midfielder. Colorado outshot Arizona 13-5 and never let the Wildcats generate a shot on goal, which made the night feel even more complete as the Buffs locked down their ninth shutout of the year. [Read more 🡒]
Colorado Faces An Oklahoma State Threat Fans Shouldn't Overlook
Oklahoma State arrives with more than just a dangerous offense, because Drew Mestemaker has become one of the more talked-about quarterbacks in the country. The buzz around him has been loud enough to push him into first-round NFL Draft conversations, and some mock drafts have even sent him as high as No. 2. He has been a major reason the program has regained national attention, with head coach Eric Morris leaning into modern recruiting methods and an offensive system that fits Mestemaker's skill set.
For Colorado, the challenge is obvious: this is a quarterback who can swing a game with his arm and command a defense's full attention. The concern for Oklahoma State, though, is that the hype comes with some volatility, and Mestemaker has already thrown six interceptions this season. That makes him a fascinating threat to prepare for, because the ceiling is enormous even if the margin for error has not disappeared. [Read more 🡒]
Colorado Suddenly Has A Chance To Flip A Game Nobody Expected
The Big 12 slate this week has a little bit of everything, from Houston and Utah meeting in the conferences only ranked showdown to a full list of games that leave no team on a bye. Buried in that broader preview is a Colorado matchup that suddenly feels a lot more interesting than it did a few weeks ago, because the Buffaloes are being mentioned in the same breath as a potential upset team.
For Colorado, the intrigue is less about the national picture and more about whether this group can turn a tricky spot into a statement game. The opponent is a familiar name in the league, and the conversation around the Buffs centers on whether their defense can create the kind of disruption that changes the tone of the afternoon. If Colorado is going to flip a game few expected it to even control, that side of the ball may have to do the heavy lifting. [Read more 🡒]