The Colorado football secondary took a hit before their showdown against superstar quarterback Caleb Williams and the USC Trojans. Buffaloes safety Shilo Sanders, who is dealing with a kidney injury that has caused him to urinate blood, is doubtful and not expected to play vs. USC football, sources told ESPN's Pete Thamel.

In some positive injury news, Colorado football is expected to have wide receiver Xavier Weaver, who exited last week's loss to Oregon late in the game with an injury, active for the game against the Trojans, the Buffaloes' second straight game against a Pac-12 opponent.

It's certainly a boon to the Buffaloes' fifth-ranked passing attack to have Weaver, the team's leading receiver, for a game against USC that figures to feature plenty of point-scoring.

Article Continues Below
More NCAA Football News
Westlake Chaparrals wide receiver Chase Bowen (11) and North Shore Mustangs free safety Chace Calicut (22) collide after the punt bounces in the first quarter as the Chaparrals take on the Mustangs in the Conference 6A Division 1 UIL State Playoff semi-final game at Legacy Stadium in Katy, Dec. 14, 2024.
Georgia football secures massive 4-star commitment over Texas, MichiganTroy Finnegan ·
Penn State Nittany Lions head coach James Franklin against the Boise State Broncos in the Fiesta Bowl at State Farm Stadium.
Penn State Nittany Lions beat out Ohio State, Michigan for 4-star pass rusherRichard Pereira ·
Alabama Crimson Tide head coach Kalen DeBoer watches his team warm up before a game against the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers at Bryant-Denny Stadium. The game will be the first with DeBoer as head coach of the Crimson Tide.
Alabama football beats out Virginia Tech, Memphis for 2026 linebackerAlex House ·
Miami Hurricanes helmet sits on bench as the Hurricanes play against the North Carolina Tar Heels at Kenan Memorial Stadium.
Miami’s Damione Lewis helps to secure massive DL prospect over Georgia, SMUBenedetto Vitale ·
Featured image Ohio State
Ohio State football beats out Penn State, Michigan for top-10 DL prospectDylan Fine ·
LSU Tigers quarterback Garrett Nussmeier (13) throws a pass during the first half against the Baylor Bears at NRG Stadium. The Tigers defeat the Bears 44-31.
Garrett Nussmeier’s confident 7-word message ahead of 2025 seasonJake Faigus ·

But there's no doubt about it. The absence of Sanders, a starter on the back end of the Colorado football secondary, hurts, especially when coupled with the fact that shutdown corner Travis Hunter will miss his second straight contest with a lacerated liver.

Sanders, a senior safety and the son of Buffaloes head coach Deion Sanders, has been a playmaker on the back-end, as he ranks second on the team in tackles, has a forced fumble to his name and came up with a huge, 80-yard interception return for a touchdown in a dramatic, double-overtime win over Colorado State two weeks ago.

Now, Colorado football will have to find a way to slow USC football's prolific offense, ranked third in total yards and first in points per game, without two key pieces.

Trojans quarterback Caleb Williams, a projected top pick in the 2024 NFL Draft and the reigning Heisman Trophy award winner from 2022, ranks second in the nation with 15 touchdown passes and has yet to throw an interception through four games played.