Dallan Hayden, Omarion Miller injury updates: Deion Sanders provides latest on Colorado playmakers
Colorado has been without a pair of projected impact players at the beginning of the season, with running back Dallan Hayden and receiver Omarion Miller both missing time. They could be on different timelines to return, too.
Coach Deion Sanders offered a brief update on both players, and it sounds like Hayden is a little closer to a return right now. Sanders explained.
“Both of them are practicing,” he said. “Omarion, I don’t know if we’re going to see him this week. Dallan is, he worked his butt off today, he’s closer to being seen than Omarion.”
Dallan Hayden is dealing with a hand injury that he suffered in fall camp. He’s been nursing it for weeks, hoping to get back.
If he can return he’s an obvious difference-maker. The former Ohio State transfer was only beginning to scratch the surface of his potential at Colorado a year ago.
While at Ohio State in 2022, Dallan Hayden ran for 553 yards and five touchdowns. He looked like a future star. Then his 2023 campaign fizzled — he logged just 110 yards and a single touchdown — and he opted to transfer.
Last season at Colorado, Hayden saw 64 touches for 196 yards and a score. It was his lowest yardage per carry total (3.1) in his career, though he did log career highs in catches (17) and receiving yards (132).
Getting him on the field can only help Colorado. The same is true for Omarion Miller. Miller has been with the Buffaloes for three years now. In that time he has racked up 22 catches for 489 yards and two touchdowns.
Miller suffered a hamstring injury in a game against Georgia Tech. He did not play last weekend for Colorado. And he might not play again for a little bit.
“We want Omarion to get healthy,” Sanders said. “Don’t rush that. Don’t rush that, because that could linger with you all season and prevent you from being the best that you could be. But he’s working his butt off.”
When might Dallan Hayden and Omarion Miller return? The outlook seems to differ for both, but Colorado’s next contest is Friday night at Houston. The game kicks off at 7:30 p.m. ET on ESPN.
