Shedeur Sanders did not play during Colorado’s final regular season college football game against Utah on Saturday. There was a lot of speculation that the 21-year-old quarterback, and son of Deion Sanders, skipped the game as a “business decision.”
They implied that Shedeur was tired of losing. They said that he was tired of playing behind a truly horrendous offensive line and quit on his team.
That is not the case. The Buffaloes’ starting quarterback left the game a week before against Washington State after suffering numbness in his hands, while also dealing with an ankle ailment.
According to his brother, Deion Jr., Shedeur’s injury is much more serious than initially assumed. Those who were quick to pounce all over his character were wrong.
Well Off Media shared a behind-the-scenes look at Saturday’s game in Salt Lake City. It showed Shedeur being coy about his injury during pregame.
I feel good, bro. But realistically, I can’t even throw right now.
— Shedeur Sanders
That led his brother to divulge the severity. He has a “fracture in his back.” (5:26 mark)
Shedeur was able to play through pain throughout the entire season. A back fracture is a different beast. You cannot play through a back fracture.
Even though the third-year junior is eligible to enter the NFL Draft, his father says that he is going to return for another season in Boulder. Even though Shedeur missed time throughout the year, including the final game all together, he still managed to set the school record for most passing yards in a single season. He finished one touchdown behind the program’s single-season touchdowns record.
Recovery for a spinal fracture can vary. It is a very finicky injury.
Shedeur’s rehab should take him around four months if he does not need surgery. If all things go according to plan, it should not be an issue for him to return in time for spring practices.
In the meantime, all of those who called him a quitter can eat their words!