Can Shilo Sanders get a medical redshirt after forearm injury, return to Colorado in 2025?

Shilo Sanders may be out for a long time after a forearm injury. Could that spell a return to Colorado in 2025 after receiving a medical redshirt?
Shilo Sanders may be out for a long time after a forearm injury. Could that spell a return to Colorado in 2025 after receiving a medical redshirt? / Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images
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Shilo Sanders suffered a forearm injury while tackling Huskers RB Dante Dowdell in the first half of a 28-10 victory for Nebraska against Colorado. If that's the last we see of Sanders during the 2024 season, could he return to Boulder in 2025?

Technically, yes. Shilo cannot play more than 30% of the team's games (four), and would have to miss the rest of the 2024 season to be eligible. That it happened in the season's second game makes the timing work.

Of course, his ongoing legal issues stemming from assaulting Focus Academies security guard John Darjean to the point of paralysis in 2015 could complicate things. Whichever between NIL earnings or an NFL salary -- probably non-guaranteed if he misses the rest of the season -- is deemed more off-limits relating his the bankruptcy case is what Sanders will pursue.

Shilo Sanders can give Deion Sanders a reason to stay with Colorado in 2025

Paul Finebaum believes Deion Sanders will lose his desire to coach the Buffs in 2025 after Shedeur Sanders and Travis Hunter leave Boulder.

“I don’t think Deion Sanders will be there next year,” Finebaum said on the September 8 edition of The Matt Barrie Show. “This season, when they fail to go to a bowl game, he’s going to look around and try to find an exit strategy. No more , no more  — what’s the motivation for him to beat himself up? So, I think enjoy the Deion show. It will be playing somewhere next year. It may be off Broadway. It may be on Broadway. But it won’t be in Boulder.”

Well, Shilo staying would certainly give Coach Prime a reason to stay; the reason he got into coaching in the first place.

His sons.

In the NIL era, Shilo would likely see a pay-bump for staying after Shedeur and Hunter leave. The budget will be significantly freed up. And you just know Coach Prime would be negotiating for it on his son's behalf.

It's not all that likely, but Shilo staying one more year after receiving a medical redshirt is plausible. It'd just mean CU lost a major part of their defense for the long-hail in Week 2.