Colorado defensive back and wide receiver Travis Hunter will likely miss the next two or three games of the season as he recovers from a lacerated liver, head coach Deion Sanders said.

"Let's say two or three [games]," Sanders said when asked about Hunter's recovery. "It would be my dream and desire for him to stay out until after the bye week."

Colorado plays at Arizona State on Saturday and hosts Stanford the following week. It has the next weekend off after that and then goes to UCLA on Oct. 28.

"Travis is doing well," Sanders said. "He was out of practice today coaching his butt off. He's one of the best coaches we have."

Hunter sustained the injury during Colorado's overtime victory over Colorado State on Sept. 16 when he absorbed a hard hit from Rams safety Henry Blackburn that required a trip to a local hospital during the game.

Colorado allowed 90 combined points in consecutive losses to Oregon and USC since then and is 3-2 on the season.

Hunter, a noted two-way player on offense and defense, caught 16 passes for 233 yards and recorded an interception, 9 tackles, and 2 pass breakups.

Defensive back Shilo Sanders, son of the Buffaloes' head coach, was also out last weekend with an injury, but is expected to return sooner than Hunter.

More college football from SI: Top 25 Rankings | Schedule | Teams

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