Sources: Enthusiasts security Sanders skeptical vs

• Pete Thamel, ESPNSep 30, 2023, 06:45 AM ET Colorado star safety Shilo Sanders is skeptical for Saturday’s game against No. 8 USC and is not expected to play, sources informed ESPN, leaving a having a hard time Buffaloes secondary much more susceptible against the Trojans.Sanders did not practice this week, sources said, and is slated to be replaced in the starting lineup by Southern Utah transfer Rodrick Ward. Coach Deion Sanders said on his radio show this week that his boy had a kidney injury that was causing him to urinate blood.Sanders is a graduate student who dipped into South Carolina and Jackson State before starting at Colorado this season. He has been one of Colorado’s protective linchpins, with 26 tackles while forcing a fumble and taping an 80-yard interception return in the triumph over Colorado State.Editor’s Picks

1 Associated The predicted loss of Sanders leaves Colorado without two of its most important players, as Travis Hunter (333 snaps at WR/DB) and Sanders (312) are amongst the group’s leading 3 players in total snaps. Coincidentally, both have kidney issues.Hunter, the lockdown cornerback who moonlights at receiver, is out numerous weeks after taking an unlawful hit from Colorado State’s Henry Blackburn.That leaves Colorado short-handed versus returning

Heisman winner Caleb Williams and a USC passing offense that ranks No. 3 nationally with 377.2 backyards per game. Williams will be squaring off in a quarterback battle with Sanders’bro, Shedeur, in a game that’s intriguing enough to NFL front workplaces that 30 scouts from 21 groups will be in attendance.Colorado’s pass defense ranks No. 111 nationally, yielding 269.2 backyards per game. USC is No. 68 at 228 backyards

per game.The expected start at safety will be a big test for Ward, a backup who has 9 defensive snaps, 57 special groups snaps and 3 tackles this year behind Shilo Sanders on the depth chart. Sanders is one of Colorado’s vocal leaders and crucial figures in the secondary.According to ESPN Statistics & Information, Ward has actually dropped into coverage on 3 snaps this year and wasn’t targeted as a primary defender.Colorado is likely to have leading wide receiver Xavier Weaver

, who is thought about possible to play, sources said. Weaver suffered an undefined injury in last week’s loss to Oregon.