Oregon running back De'Anthony Thomas is not expected to play Saturday at Colorado, which might be the only good news the Buffaloes enjoy all week.
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Thomas, who rolled his ankle returning the opening kickoff in the Ducks' 55-16 win over California, was in a walking boot Monday and said he is "just being patient and waiting to feel good."
Thomas has been a one-man unwelcome wagon since Colorado joined the Pac-12 in 2011. Last season, Thomas had 97 rushing yards and one touchdown on five carries and scored on a 73-yard punt return in the Ducks' 70-14 win over the Buffaloes. The previous year, Thomas rushed for 50 yards on four carries and caught a 14-yard touchdown in a 45-2 humbling in Boulder, Colo.
The electric and versatile junior ranks sixth in the Pac-12 with 338 rushing yards (8.0 yards per carry) this season, and his six rushing touchdowns are second only to the eight by Marion Grice of Arizona State, totals Thomas probably would have added to against a Golden Bears defense on pace to become the worst in school history.
Considering Colorado has surrendered at least 30 points in all but two conference games since departing the Big 12, including 44 points and 540 yards of total offense to Oregon State last week, it makes sense for Oregon to rest Thomas this week and get him ready for its Oct. 12 game at Pacific Northwest rival Washington.
Follow Dan Greenspan on Twitter @DanGreenspan.
