Broncos legend Champ Bailey didn’t need to stand next to The Rock on the sidelines at Folsom Field to believe CSU defensive back Henry Blackburn’s late hit on CU’s Travis Hunter came with bad intentions.
“You saw how (Blackburn) looked at him… It was intentional,” Bailey, the Hall of Fame cornerback, told reporters Sunday afternoon at Empower Field prior to the Broncos’ game against Washington.
“That’s just the nature of the game, but you worry about those things.”
In the first quarter of Colorado’s electrifying 43-35 double-overtime victory over Colorado State on Saturday, Hunter ran a go route near the Buffs’ sideline when Blackburn leveled the two-way star after the ball had already fallen incomplete. Colorado State was assessed with defensive pass interference and unnecessary roughness on the play.
Hunter returned to the game on defense during the Rams’ next possession and played for most of the first half. But five minutes into the second half, the team announced that he had been taken to a hospital. Hunter finished the game with two receptions for 21 yards.
Colorado coach Deion Sanders said after the game that he wasn’t sure of the specifics of the injury, but Hunter is expected to be out a “few weeks.”
“That’s the risk. People try to take you,” Bailey said. “And unfortunately he might be out for a while.”
Bailey said players like Hunter have a target on their back. Bailey, who is considered one of the best cornerbacks in NFL history, said he is not surprised about Hunter’s talent level. As someone who once played defensive back and receiver at Georgia, few would know better than him.
Bailey’s biggest concern for him is if he can stay durable playing wide receiver and cornerback. Besides that, he thinks the sky’s the limit for Hunter.
“There’s a few kids that come out of high school that have the chance to do that or (are) capable,” Bailey said. “He’s shown to be one of the greats in every level that he has played.”
Jackson ejected. Veteran Denver safety Kareem Jackson was ejected from the game in the first half after he launched into a high hit on Washington tight end Logan Thomas on a fourth-down touchdown reception.
Jackson, who was fined more than $14,000 for a helmet-to-helmet hit on Las Vegas receiver Jakobi Meyers last week, will undoubtedly be fined again and could face a suspension for a second straight illegal hit to the head.
The Commanders did not take kindly to the hit and a scuffle ensued as Thomas remained on the ground in the end zone. He eventually got up on his own and jogged off the field, though he was diagnosed with a concussion (like Meyers a week ago) and did not return to the game.
Sanders’ defensive cameo. In Week 1, rookie inside linebacker Drew Sanders didn’t play a single defensive snap. On Washington’s first third down Sunday, a third-and-9, he was in the game as part of a pass-rush package. Sanders didn’t see much defensive activity after that, but it’s a sign of his potential role going forward.
Injuries and inactives. Safety Delarrin Turner-Yell, playing for Jackson, dropped out of the game with a cramping issue.
The Broncos had no surprises on their gameday inactives list. Outside linebacker Frank Clark (hip) was joined by second-year DL Elijah Garcia and rookies CB Riley Moss, S JL Skinner and C Alex Forsyth.
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