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Travis Hunter returns to practice, ‘tremendous chance’ CU Buffs’ two-way star returns this week

BOULDER — Travis Hunter came to Deion Sanders on Monday morning with a question.

“‘What more can I do to help us get to the point that we need to get to?’” Sanders recalled Hunter asking.

Colorado’s star two-way player has been out for the last three games with a lacerated liver and has been doing what he can to help his teammates, even coaching them on the sidelines during games and at practice.

USC Colorado Football

Injured Colorado defensive back Travis Hunter, center, looks on from the sideline in the second half of an NCAA college football game against Southern California, Saturday, Sept. 30, 2023, in Boulder, Colo. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

David Zalubowski

USC Colorado Football

Injured Colorado defensive back Travis Hunter, center, looks on from the sideline in the second half of an NCAA college football game against Southern California, Saturday, Sept. 30, 2023, in Boulder, Colo. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)






But Hunter is back on the practice field this week as the Buffaloes prepare to host Stanford on Friday night and things are trending in the right direction for CU to get its top cornerback and starting wide receiver back.

“There’s a tremendous chance he could play,” Coach Prime said Tuesday.

Hunter has been cleared to return and it’s now up to him to prove he’s ready to play in a game.

“It goes by how he looks, how he performs in practice, how his wind is,” Sanders said. “He has to be in shape. I don’t want him to be a liability. I want him to always be an asset.”

09_09_23 cu neb01935.jpg

Colorado Buffaloes wide receiver Travis Hunter (12) runs down field against Nebraska defensive back DeShon Singleton and linebacker MJ Sherman (48) during the first half Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023, at Folsom Field in Boulder, Colo. (The Gazette, Christian Murdock)

Christian Murdock/The Gazette

09_09_23 cu neb01935.jpg

Colorado Buffaloes wide receiver Travis Hunter (12) runs down field against Nebraska defensive back DeShon Singleton and linebacker MJ Sherman (48) during the first half Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023, at Folsom Field in Boulder, Colo. (The Gazette, Christian Murdock)






Through two and a half games, the former top recruit in the 2022 class has 16 catches for 213 yards on offense and six tackles, an interception and two pass breakups on defense.

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Hunter has been out since halftime of the Rocky Mountain Showdown against Colorado State on Sept. 16. Hunter received a late hit from Rams safety Henry Blackburn, although the CU corner/wide receiver remained in the game until getting checked out by the medical staff at halftime and was sent to a local hospital for further evaluation, where he was ultimately given the diagnosis of a lacerated liver.

Colorado St Colorado Football

Colorado cornerback Travis Hunter (12) is dragged down after a short gain by Colorado State defensive back Henry Blackburn, back left, and defensive back Ayden Hector during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 16, 2023, in Boulder, Colo. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

David Zalubowski

Colorado St Colorado Football

Colorado cornerback Travis Hunter (12) is dragged down after a short gain by Colorado State defensive back Henry Blackburn, back left, and defensive back Ayden Hector during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 16, 2023, in Boulder, Colo. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)






Despite it being downplayed by both Hunter and Sanders, the hit by Blackburn caused him and his family to reportedly receive death threats. The two recently met up to go bowling together for a video posted on Hunter’s YouTube page.

The original timeline for Hunter’s absence was three weeks, but Coach Prime said last week that he was hoping to keep Hunter out through the Buffs’ bye week, which comes after this next game against Stanford. That would’ve meant a return for Hunter would come at the end of the month when CU heads west to face UCLA on Oct. 28.

Sanders said Hunter has on extra protection in his mid-section now that he’s back on the practice field. He was seen doing one-on-one drills at cornerback and wide receiver in a video posted by Deion Sanders Jr.’s Well Off Media YouTube page. The Buffs typically have a light practice Mondays without pads on.

He was back out there again on Tuesday as the pads came on, though.

“I hope he can play,” Coach Prime said.

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