Star Colorado transfer may not be out for year, underused backup staying ready

Colorado football QB1 Shedeur Sanders may not be out for the year with injuries after leaving the Buffs’ Week 12 56-14 loss vs Wazzu early according to BuffZone’s Brian Howell — who reported that Ryan Staub is staying prepared regardless of No. 2’s status.

“Shedeur Sanders may not be done playing this season,” Howell prefaced before saying, “Colorado’s star quarterback left Friday’s 56-14 loss at Washington State in the first half because of injuries but he hasn’t been ruled out of playing in the finale.

“True freshman Ryan Staub is Shedeur’s top backup and went 5-for-14 for 56 yards at Washington State. Staub would likely be the starter if Sheduer doesn’t play, but Coach Prime said the prep work doesn’t change for Staub.”

Coach Prime updates Colorado football QB room’s preparation ahead of Utah

All in all, there’s not much clarity as to who Coach Prime will have at his disposal under center when the Buffs take on the Utes in Utah on November 25. Deion Sanders essentially reported that Sanders and Staub are on their normal workout schedules.

“Shedeur on Tuesdays, he really don’t work anyway,” Sanders prefaced before saying, “Wednesdays, he normally does seven on seven or whatever; he really works his way into it. He has a schedule that his body responds.

“So Staub, he’s been getting a lot of work anyway the last several weeks. So, prayerfully he can digest the playbook, digest what we expect of him, so he could go out and perform if he’s called upon.”

If Shedeur isn’t available when CU takes the field at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Week 13, Staub will be thrown into the fire with just two garbage time appearances and 16 pass attempts for the Buffs in his redshirt freshman season. An already struggling Colorado offense will be beyond vulnerable against a Utah defense that has prayed on all but the elites of the Pac-12 conference in 2023.