Colorado Injury Report: Manuel, Mitchell Doubtful
Colorado lists two starting defenders as doubtful for Saturday's road game at Arizona State.
Updated on Nov. 5, 2026 in Football
Colorado listed defensive tackle Dylan Manuel and safety Naeten Mitchell as doubtful for Saturday's game at Arizona State, with Manuel listed as questionable last week but still playing. Running back Micah Welch, receiver Danny Scudero, defensive back Braylon Edwards and walk-on receiver Kaleb Mathis were listed as out.
Why it matters
Colorado enters the matchup at 3-5 overall and 1-4 in the Big 12, and the availability of two regular defenders affects a unit already facing a difficult stretch. Arizona State is 4-4 overall and 2-3 in conference play.
Mitchell has started every game this season and has played 94% of defensive snaps, while Manuel has played 75.4% of snaps and recorded 18 tackles and two tackles for loss. Mitchell was injured in the second half of Colorado's 27-24 overtime win over Kansas State, and final availability for Saturday remains unconfirmed.
The players
Colorado Buffaloes
The University of Colorado's football program, competing in the Big 12 Conference and based in Boulder, Colorado.
Arizona State Sun Devils
The football program of Arizona State University, competing in the Big 12 Conference and based in Tempe, Arizona.
The details
The first availability report of the week was posted Wednesday night, listing Manuel and Mitchell as doubtful and Welch, Scudero, Edwards and Mathis as out. Welch, the Buffs' second-leading rusher, will miss a third straight game and Scudero a seventh straight.
Timeline
Saturday (Nov. 7): Colorado plays at Arizona State at 5:30 p.m. on ESPN2.
Wednesday night (Nov. 4): First player availability report posted for the Arizona State game.
Saturday (prior week): Colorado beat Kansas State 27-24 in overtime, with Mitchell injured in the second half.
Season Trajectory
Colorado's 27-24 overtime win over Kansas State the prior week was its only recent victory in a 3-5 season, and the injury concerns now carried into Arizona State extend a defensive question that will bear on the team's Big 12 standing. With a 1-4 conference record, every remaining Big 12 game carries additional weight for the Buffs.
If Manuel or Mitchell is unavailable, Colorado's defensive rotation will shift for a team that has relied heavily on both players this season. Fantasy and betting readers tracking the Buffs' defensive snap counts should watch the final status updates before Saturday's kickoff.
The takeaway
Colorado's availability picture for Saturday will be clearer only after pregame updates, so readers following the Buffs should check final designations closer to kickoff rather than relying on the Wednesday report alone.
What happens next
Colorado plays at Arizona State on Saturday, Nov. 7, at 5:30 p.m. on ESPN2, and final player availability will be determined before kickoff.
Further reading
For more on the Buffs' season, see the Football section.
