Colorado came away from Lincoln, Neb., not only defeated, but beat up.

During his weekly press conference on Tuesday, Buffaloes’ head coach Deion Sanders said there are at least a couple of key players who won’t play Saturday when CU visits Colorado State (5:30 p.m., CBS).

Early in CU’s 28-10 loss at Nebraska last Saturday, Coach Prime’s son, senior safety Shilo Sanders, left the game with a forearm injury. It’s unclear the extent of the injury, but Shilo had surgery on Monday.

“He came through it all right,” Coach Prime said. “He woke up medicated, highly, said he was going to play this week, but that’s just Shilo. Knowing Shilo, Shilo has God in his corner. I’m telling you, I have never seen nothing like it, the healing ability. I would say, two to three weeks (out).”

Running back Dallan Hayden limped off the field after his last carry of the night, with about 4 minutes to play, and Coach Prime said, “I think he’s out this week.”

Hayden hasn’t started but leads CU running backs in yards (52) and snaps played through two games.

Starting defensive tackle Chidozie Nwankwo left the game late in the third quarter with what Coach Prime said was an AC joint injury.

“We’re praying for him that he can make it back,” Coach Prime said. “I like to see one good day of practice before we put those guys out there.”

He also said Isaiah Harge, a receiver/cornerback who has played mostly special teams, may not play. And, linebacker LaVonta Bentley was shaken up a bit but will likely rest a bit this week and get ready for Saturday’s game.

Fake news?

As usual, the Buffs have made national headlines. But, as usual, there’s been some dispute from CU over the validity of the reports.

It was reported over the weekend that Coach Prime ordered the playing of quarterback Shedeur Sanders’ song “Perfect Timing” after the star scores or throws a TD pass, rather than the tradition of the band playing, “Glory, Glory Colorado.” During the home opener against North Dakota State on Aug. 29, Sanders’ song did in fact play after scores instead of the traditional tune, but Coach Prime said it wasn’t ordered by him.

“Whoever reported that I told the band not to play the fight song, that’s idiotic,” he said. “Y’all know that. Like when you saw that, you know that was a lie. We’ve got to start having some kind of accountability to this (reporting).”

Shedeur has also been criticized nationally for leaving the field and heading back to the locker room with 2 minutes to play during the loss to Nebraska. Coach Prime said that happened so that Shedeur, who took several big hits, could be evaluated by doctors.

“Some of you guys failed to mention that Chidozie was 10 steps in front of Shedeur when they were going in,” he said. “Chidozie was 10 steps in front of Shedeur when they were going in to get checked out by the doctors.”

Notable

Saturday will mark CU’s first trip to Fort Collins since a 48-34 win on Sept. 7, 1996. CU’s first visit to Fort Collins came on Feb. 11, 1893, when it won 70-6. Overall, the Buffs are 23-7-1 against the Rams in Fort Collins. … CU’s Travis Hunter and Jimmy Horn Jr. both rank top-20 nationally in average receiving yards per game, Hunter at 121.0 and Horn at 112.0.