Everything felt different in Boulder this past season, didn't it? One minute the hype is hitting a fever pitch, and the next, you’re looking at a Colorado football injury report that looks more like a hospital census than a depth chart. It’s frustrating. Honestly, if you followed the Buffs through the 2025 campaign, you know the story wasn't just about the wins or the flashy plays—it was about who was left standing.
Football is a game of attrition, sure. But for Deion "Coach Prime" Sanders, the 2025 season felt like a masterclass in "what if."
The Trenches Took the Biggest Hit
If you want to know why the run game felt stagnant or why the defense occasionally looked like a sieve, look no further than the defensive line. By mid-October, the situation was basically dire. Tavian Coleman, a cornerstone of that front, vanished from the active roster after undergoing surgery that kept him out for the long haul. You can’t just replace a guy like that with a "next man up" mentality when the next man is a true freshman who's still learning where the weight room is.
Samuel Okunlola was another massive blow. He went down early—Week 1, to be exact—and the ripple effect was felt for months. When your primary edge rushers are sidelined, the secondary has to cover longer. That’s a recipe for disaster in the Big 12, where every quarterback can seemingly throw a 60-yard dime on the run.
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The Skill Position Carousel
Remember the Iowa State game? That was a turning point for all the wrong reasons. The Colorado football injury report that week was a straight-up nightmare. We saw 12 players ruled out and four more listed as doubtful.
Dre’lon Miller, who had been emerging as this wildcat-formation Swiss Army knife, got bitten by the injury bug right when the team needed him most. With Simeon Price and DeKalon Taylor already nursing long-term issues, the backfield was down to two healthy scholarship players: Micah Welch and Dallan Hayden. You could almost hear the collective gasp from the Folsom Field faithful. It’s hard to run a "Coach Prime" offense when you're one twisted ankle away from putting a wide receiver at tailback.
- Key Losses: Samuel Okunlola (DE), Tavian Coleman (DT), DeKalon Taylor (RB).
- The "Doubtful" Trap: Players like Carter Stoutmire and Arden Walker often played through the pain, but you could tell they weren't at 100%.
- Secondary Struggles: RJ Johnson and Travis Hunter’s occasional departures for "maintenance" left the No. 2 cornerback spot exposed.
Where Does the Roster Stand Now?
Now that we're into early 2026, the focus has shifted. The stars of that era have moved on. Travis Hunter is currently recovering from a rookie-season knee surgery in the NFL with the Jaguars, and Shedeur Sanders is navigating a rocky start with the Cleveland Browns.
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Back in Boulder, the "injury report" has been replaced by the "transfer portal report." Coach Prime hasn't slowed down. He’s brought in over 35 new players this cycle. The goal? Depth. If 2025 taught the staff anything, it’s that a top-heavy roster is a fragile one. They’ve added guys like former Tennessee safety Boo Carter and Texas receiver DeAndre Moore Jr. to ensure that one or two injuries don't tank an entire month of the season.
Julian Lewis is the name everyone is watching now. As the projected leader of the 2026 offense, his health is the most important variable in the entire program. The Buffs have also bolstered the offensive line with guys like Jordan Seaton and Phillip Houston (who, thankfully, is back from the ailments that hampered his 2025).
How to Track the Buffs' Health in 2026
If you’re trying to stay ahead of the curve, don't just wait for the official Friday release. The "Coach Prime" era is unique because information often leaks through social media or "Well Off Media" YouTube clips before it hits the wire.
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Watch the practice footage. If a starter is wearing a non-contact jersey (usually yellow or red) on a Tuesday, there’s a 70% chance they’ll be on the Colorado football injury report by Friday. Also, keep an eye on the "doubtful" designations. Unlike the NFL, where "doubtful" usually means "not playing," Colorado has shown a tendency to let guys test it out during warmups.
Actionable Insights for the 2026 Season
- Check the Trenches First: Before betting or setting expectations, look at the health of the O-line. If Jordan Seaton or the new interior transfers are nicked up, the offense will stall regardless of who is at QB.
- Monitor the Transfer Reps: With so many new faces, "soft tissue" injuries (hamstrings/groins) are common in spring and early fall as players adjust to the Boulder altitude and the new strength program.
- Follow Local Beats: Reporters like Brian Howell and Mat Smith are usually the first to spot who's missing from the early-week sessions.
The 2025 season was a lesson in fragility. As we head into the 2026 spring ball, the Buffaloes seem to be prioritizing "functional depth" over just "star power." It's a boring way to build a team compared to the glitz of the first two years, but it's the only way to survive a grueling Big 12 schedule.