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Laviska Shenault Jr. returns to Colorado against Washington State, but Buffs without two other top WRs

In this Sept. 8, 2018, file photo, Colorado wide receiver Laviska Shenault Jr. (2) makes a touchdown reception against Nebraska defensive back Dicaprio Bootle (23) during the second half of an NCAA college football game in Lincoln, Neb. (Nati Harnik / AP)
By Theo Lawson theol@spokesman.com(509) 459-5584

BOULDER, Colo. – Star wideout Laviska Shenault Jr. returned to Colorado Saturday against Washington State, but the Buffaloes are facing the Cougars without two other top wide receivers, a starting safety and a second-string running back.

CU held out sophomore receiver K.D. Nixon (toe) and senior receiver Jay MacIntyre (concussion) after both were injured in the Buffaloes’ previous game at Arizona. Shenault Jr., who was one of the nation’s top receivers through the first five games of the season, got his first action since going down with a turf toe in a week six loss at USC.

“Hopefully we’ll get Jay MacIntyre and K.D. Nixon back, they both would have made a big difference today,” CU coach Mike MacIntyre said after the game. “There were balls not caught over the middle that should have been. I think those guys would have made a big difference in that area.”

Shenault Jr. played well in his return, catching 10 passes for 102 yards and rushing once for 18 yards, but the receiver also coughed up the ball in the fourth quarter when WSU’s Willie Taylor III brought him down from behind.

All-Pac-12 honorable mention strong safety Evan Worthington missed his second straight game with a concussion and backup running back Beau Bisharat was also absent for the Buffaloes.

The Cougars were relatively healthy coming into Saturday’s game, but starting cornerback Sean Harper Jr. didn’t travel with WSU and missed his fourth consecutive game with an undisclosed upper body injury.