Perhaps Deion Sanders turned back the clock to play a little defensive back during Wednesday’s Colorado football practice for a reason. His Buffs might need him for a few snaps on Saturday.

Starting safety Naeten Mitchell is doubtful for a must-win road game vs. Arizona State, according to the Big 12 player availability report, and in jeopardy of missing his first game of the season. He’s started all eight games and played the third-most defensive snaps (563) for Colorado this season.

When Naeten Mitchell was injured late in the fourth quarter of the Buffs’ Week 8 win over Kansas State, Deion Sanders went with super senior Ben Finneseth, who had played just 13 defensive snaps this season prior to that day. Finneseth is a special teams mainstay but could start alongside Randon Fontenette at safety if Mitchell’s doubtful status isn’t upgraded.

There isn’t much depth in the secondary with other injuries and three defensive backs dismissed from the team earlier this season.

Deion Sanders and the Colorado football team will also likely be without starting defensive tackle Dylan Manuel, who’s also listed as doubtful. He’s played the second-most snaps (451) among defensive linemen this season and is one of the Buffs’ best run stoppers. Expect Samu Taumanupepe to see increased time alongside Santana Hopper if Manuel can’t go.

Colorado (3-5) snapped a five-game losing streak with an overtime win vs. Kansas State last week and will have to follow that up with a road win to remain bowl eligible. The Buffs can still afford one more loss but this matchup with Arizona State (4-4) is arguably the most winnable game left on the schedule, especially with the Sun Devils starting a true freshman QB (Jake Fette).

A win (or loss) on Saturday could have massive implications for Deion Sanders’ future at Colorado.

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