CU head coach Deion Sanders informed Carl Reed of 247Sports that Hunter will miss the next three games after injuring himself Saturday night against Colorado State.
Colorado will play No. 10 Oregon in Pac-12 play this weekend after going 3-0 and ranking 19th. After that, CU hosts No. 5 USC on Sept. 30 and travels to Arizona State on Oct. 7.
The Buffs' wide receiver and cornerback Hunter was struck hard by CSU safety Henry Blackburn in the second quarter. Shedeur Sanders passed to Hunter along the left sideline.
His stomach was smacked by Blackburn after the failed throw. A late hit out of bounds earned Blackburn a 15-yard unsportsmanlike conduct penalty. Ayden Hector, the CSU cornerback defending Hunter, was also penalized for pass interference.
Hunter temporarily returned to the game following Blackburn's hit, but was replaced and brought to a local hospital for assessment. After the game, head coach Deion Sanders learned Hunter would be “out for a few weeks.” He verified the three-week timeline to Reed, a veteran Florida coach and 247Sports analyst, on Monday.
“We’re going to do what we got to do to take care of him,” Deion Sanders stated post-game. I knew Travis like a book. He may wish to miss two weeks, but his health is more important than this game.”
Hunter was the top 2022 recruit that signed with Jackson State under Sanders. After following Sanders to Colorado, he has contributed to the Buffs' 3-0 start.
Hunter is CU's top cornerback and has 16 offensive catches for 213 yards. Hunter recorded 11 receptions for 119 yards and a diving interception in the Buffaloes' season-opening triumph over TCU.
Hunter will be missed when the Buffs travel to Oregon for their conference opener on Saturday. Oregon, ranked 10th, is 3-0 after defeating Hawaii 55-10.