BOULDER — Read up and down Colorado’s large August roster and one can spot any number of Buffs underclassmen eager for Saturday’s first scrimmage to show they deserve an opportunity to secure their trip to the season opener in Hawaii.
Then there’s sophomore defensive end Chidera Uzo-Diribe, who wants to play Saturday but might risk his roster spot if he does. Uzo-Diribe fell awkwardly in practice Wednesday and suffered a shoulder stinger.
Barely 24 hours after he was rushed to a nearby emergency room as a precaution, Uzo-Diribe was back on the practice field Thursday, but as an observer.
“He wants to practice,” said CU coach Jon Embree, who will consult with the training staff before making a call on Uzo-Diribe scrimmaging Saturday. “I know what he can do and his abilities. I want him for Hawaii. So we’ll see how he feels and how sore he is.”
The staff wants to keep the players in suspense for the travel squad, which can number up to 70, as well as give everyone a fair chance. Saturday’s scrimmage will go a long way toward doing that.
“We have guys who aren’t really good shorts (practice) players who are really good in pads,” Embree said.
Even with limited action in the spring after a toe injury, the 6-foot-3, 240-pound sophomore Uzo-Diribe earned tentative starting status. He played in all 12 games as a true freshman a year ago and is considered CU’s top pass-rushing threat.
“I feel pretty good, other than a stiff neck,” he said Thursday. “Coach (Kanavis) McGhee said he wants me 100 percent for Hawaii. I want to make sure I’m the number one guy for game one.” When Embree told the team last spring that only those who proved they could do the work would get on the plane for the opener, the players apparently took it to heart.
“A lot of guys are out here working hard,” Uzo-Diribe said.
Uzo-Diribe said when the ambulance approached CU’s practice field Wednesday it was a scary situation.
“But I just wanted to take precautions just to make sure nothing serious was going on,” he said.
Footnotes.
Embree hopes to name his starting punter early next week. Freshman Darragh O’Neill appears to be leading the punting race with Rice transfer Mark Brundage close behind, Embree said after Thursday’s practice. . . . Running back/return specialist Brian Lockridge was listed as day to day with a lower back bruise. . . . Embree wants to determine a four-man cornerback rotation by next week out of the nine who are getting reps in practice. He cited senior Travis Sandersfeld as making an impression, so he seems set to be in that rotation.
Natalie Meisler: 303-954-1295 or nmeisler@denverpost.com
