When has life ever been easy for the Colorado Buffaloes head coach, Deion Sanders? Already, he is now battling a feeling of loneliness now that his two sons, Shedeur and Shilo, are off to the NFL. On the other hand, Deion’s program now runs on first gear, with a 2-2 record for the 2025 season so far. The worst that could happen at the moment to the Colorado head coach is his health not cooperating. Poor Deion! Back in August, the Buffs’ head coach returned to his duties after his doctors declared him “cured” of bladder cancer. Two months later, Deion again has a hard time with his health, and this time it’s an old issue that has resurfaced.

On October 4, Brian Howell came up with a disturbing update. He wrote, “Colorado HC Deion Sanders wearing just one shoe. He has no shoe on the left foot right now. He’s complained recently of his foot throbbing when he’s talked to us in press conferences. #cubuffs.” Well, we know how it has not been just physical pain for Deion since he dealt with it mentally, too.

Deion had to undergo 11 surgeries, yes, you read that right, 11 surgeries to treat blood clotting in his legs. Back in 2021, while he held the head coaching role at Jackson State, Deion experienced throbbing pain in his left foot and limped. He underwent surgery, but in the next month, in October, Jackson State athletic trainer Lauren Askevold noticed Deion’s left foot had turned dark black. Clogged arteries left his foot in peril, and he had to part ways with his big toe and the next in line. Even then, the lingering pain continued. Other than the physical pain, it has taken a mental toll as well. 

Last year, in June, Deion and his players came together to shoot a commercial. While the Buffs’ head coach was busy nursing his foot, he added a philosophical touch to it. When the players barged into his van, he said, “This is no joke. Sometimes it hurt where the toes are supposed to be..how does that hurt where the toes are supposed to be? You know that makes me know that we care about things in life that are no longer with us but it’s with us.” While we are yet to get an update on whether it’s the same blood clot that made a return, his focus is on the boys as they face off against TCU.

Deion Sanders and Colorado got defensively handicapped 

Deion’s boys are facing the TCU Horned Frogs after a gap of one year. The last memory they have of their last face off is the Buffaloes crushing them in a 42-45 feat. While it was enough motivation juice for Colorado to push for yet another victory this season, Deion and co. had hit a speedbump this season. Three of their defensive weapons’ status remained uncertain before the TCU face-off.

As CBS Sports writer Adam Munsterteiger reported, “Defensive linemen Brandon Davis-Swain, Anquin Barnes Jr. & Alexander McPherson are all listed as a “game time decision.” All three have been warming up pre-game with the #CUBuffs. Barnes has a hand injury.” If that’s not enough woes, here comes some more. Deion can no longer count on defensive end Samuel Okunlola, defensive tackle trio Tawfiq Thomas, Gavriel Lightfoot, and Tavian Coleman, who sits on the “out” list.

Looks like Deion cannot afford to brood over the long injury list. A nagging issue calls for attention, and that’s their quarterback problem. That’s when Howell stirred the pot. While playing against TCU, Kaidon Salter faltered before going into halftime, throwing 3 interceptions. That’s what made Howell try to open Deion’s eyes. 

On X, he wrote, “Kaidon Salter with 3 INT tonight, 2 of them in the last 2 minutes of the half. Not even kidding, if I’m CU, I consider making Ryan Staub the 2-minute QB. That was brutal #cubuffs.” But it won’t be easy for Deion Sanders to make the switch so swiftly. After all, Ryan Staub has his own imperfections. While facing off against the Houston Cougars, he came up with two interceptions. That tells you how dire things were. Deion was out on the field, fighting through pain with just one shoe.