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Buffs could play another game without two key defensive players – BuffZone

Colorado Buffaloes defensive lineman Chidozie Nwankwo at football practice on August 9, 2024 in Boulder, Colo. (CU Athletics)

Colorado played without two key defensive players and a top running back last week and could be without them again this week.

On Tuesday, CU head coach Deion Sanders said Taurean Carter is out for the foreseeable future, while Chidozie Nwankwo may also miss another game. Running back Dallan Hayden is also questionable for this week.

CU (2-1) will face Baylor's (2-1) high-running offense on Saturday at Folsom Field (6 p.m., Fox). The Bears have kept the ball on the ground on 62.4% of their offensive snaps this season.

Nwankwo, who started the first two games, suffered a shoulder injury late in the third quarter of the Buffs' 28-10 loss at Nebraska on Sept. 7. He did not play in the Buffs' 28-9 win at Colorado State last Saturday.

Although Nwankwo is not ruled out for the Baylor game, his participation is questionable. He has three tackles and one sack this season.

Sanders said Carter had surgery and was “out,” but did not specify the injury or how long Carter would be out. Carter came off the bench and played a total of 28 snaps in the first two games, but was injured against Nebraska and did not play against CSU.