Colorado’s injury situation is only getting tighter at the worst possible time.
The Buffaloes head into their matchup with Kansas State needing a win to keep their season from slipping further toward the edge, but they’ll have to navigate a growing list of unavailable players to do it. Colorado is still two losses away from becoming bowl ineligible, and the margin for error is disappearing fast.
The latest injury report hit the Buffs hard. Jerimyah Welch and Isaiah Gibson have both been ruled out, and that’s a serious problem for a team already trying to piece things together on both sides of the ball.
Welch’s status had been unclear entering the week, while Gibson’s absence is a sudden blow. Three other Buffaloes were already out against Oklahoma State, but Welch had at least been a source of hope.
That matters most in the run game. Without Welch, Colorado’s ground attack became heavily one-dimensional against the Cowboys.
The Buffs leaned almost entirely on JaQuail Smith, who finished with 13 carries for 39 yards. Damian Henderson II was the next closest runner with just two carries.
Colorado has been at its best on the ground when it can rotate as many as five backs, so taking Welch out of that mix makes the job much tougher.
Gibson’s absence stings in a different way. He hasn’t been a major part of the offense, but he has been a steady presence in the return game. For a special teams unit that has already struggled to find any consistency from week to week, losing him is another setback.
The most concerning situation, though, centers on Julian Lewis. He landed on the injury report Wednesday, and then his family released a statement Thursday that raised even more concern before Saturday’s game.
"Yesterday, Julian experienced a medical emergency at the University of Colorado athletic facility and was promptly transported to the hospital,” Lewis’ family’s statement read. “He is recovering and thankful to his medical team, teammates, and Colorado fans for their prayers and support.
Please respect Julian and the Lewis family's privacy. We will have no further comment at this time."
Colorado also has to monitor several other names. Taufatofua’s setback is especially frustrating after he already missed the first four games while working back from injury during fall camp, and now he’s on the verge of missing a fifth.
Manuel has dealt with minor injuries for the last several weeks, but he has still been available and now carries added importance against a Kansas State offense that leans on the run. His ability to create tackles for loss in the backfield could matter a lot here.
There is at least one encouraging development for Colorado. Perry is likely to play after missing the Oklahoma State game and being listed as out all week. That’s a strong turnaround and gives the Buffaloes a chance to get a contributor back after it looked like he might join Welch and Gibson on the sidelines.
Thomas is also expected to be in the mix, and he’ll be looking to bounce back after a rough outing against Oklahoma State, assuming he gets through the week without any setbacks.
In Other News...
Colorados Halloween Home Game Just Sent A Tough Message In Boulder
Colorados Halloween date with Kansas State in Boulder is shaping up as more than just another conference game on the calendar. Ticket resale prices have slid sharply for the Oct. 31 matchup, with some seats available starting at $25, even as the university leans into the holiday atmosphere by staging a pregame event with trick-or-treating and a costume parade.
The setup gives the night a different kind of feel, with families and students getting a festive pregame window before the football takes center stage. The universitys rules on masks and weapons are part of that planning, and the game itself will be widely available on TNT, truTV and HBO Max, ensuring Kansas States trip to Boulder lands on a big stage even if the market around it has softened. [Read more 🡒]
Colorados QB Situation Just Took A Much More Serious Turn
Colorados quarterback room got a jolt this week when Julian Lewis experienced a medical emergency at the universitys athletic facility and was taken to the hospital. Lewis father later confirmed that the freshman is recovering, while also thanking the medical staff and the people who reached out with support. Coach Deion Sanders addressed Lewis status as the Buffaloes prepared for a pivotal stretch, and the latest update quickly shifted attention from depth-chart questions to something far more urgent.
From Kansas States perspective, the timing matters because Colorado had already entered the week with Lewis listed as doubtful for the matchup. The Wildcats will be watching the situation closely as the Buffaloes sort through their options, but the bigger concern remains Lewis health and recovery before anything else. [Read more 🡒]
Colorado Faces A Mood-Swinging Test Against Kansas State
Colorado is trying to steady itself quickly after the Oklahoma State loss, and the next assignment does not offer much room for a soft landing. The Buffaloes return home to face Kansas State with the kind of urgency that comes from a defense that just gave up 57 points, and with quarterback Isaac Wilson and wideout Joseph Williams carrying much of the burden on the other side of the ball, the margin for error feels slim.
Kansas State brings its own questions into the matchup, with Jacob Knuth expected to start at quarterback and Colorado looking to make life uncomfortable for him from the opening series. For the Buffaloes, this is as much about response as it is about results, because a sharper pass rush and a cleaner showing on defense would go a long way toward changing the mood around the team before the pressure piles up any further. [Read more 🡒]