Colorado Buffaloes Football 2012: Injuries, Dismissals Shorten Roster

The Colorado Buffaloes received some unfortunate news on Tuesday afternoon when it was announced that WR Paul Richardson tore his ACL knee ligament during Monday's practice.

According to the team's official site, Richardson tore the ligament during non-contact drills and will miss the entirety of the 2012 NCAA Season. Jon Embree, the Buffaloes head coach, said he was confidant the injury will not effect the team significantly:

"Obviously, it's a blow to our team, but it's a part of the game," head coach Jon Embree said. "It's an opportunity for others to step up and try to lessen his loss. I thought at first he just rolled his ankle, and it turned out to be this. It's a shame because he's worked real hard and was doing a great job both on and off the field, leading by example and improving on all the things he needed to work on."

Richardson, who started his college career as a tight end, has collected 1069 receiving yards and 11 touchdowns in his two-year NCAA career.

For more on the Buffaloes, stay tuned to SB Nation Denver. Be sure to check out the SB Nation blog The Ralphie Report as well.

Nick Hirschman was hoping to battle for the Colorado Buffaloes' starting quarterback spot this spring. Now it appears he will have to wait a while longer to impress his coaching staff. Kyle Ringo of Buffzone.com reports that the third-year suffer quarterback will miss spring practices after breaking his right foot while walking. Yep, walking.

Colorado QB Nick Hirschman will miss all of spring footballafter breaking his right foot just walking.Talk about bad luck #CUBuffs

— Kyle Ringo (@KyleRingo) March 8, 2012

Hirschman is apparently cursed with weak-boned feet. He had surgery to repair a fractured fifth metatarsal on his left foot prior to the 2011 season. He is the only Buffs quarterback returning with any playing experience on the roster, although most of his snaps came during mop-up duty.

Connor Wood will likely earn most of the first-team snaps in practice with Hirschman out. Both are vying to replace last year's starter Tyler Hansen, who started two full seasons for the Buffaloes.

For more on the Buffaloes, stay tuned to SB Nation Denver. Be sure to check out the SB Nation blog The Ralphie Report as well.

Colorado Buffaloes football coach Jon Embree met with media members today before his team begins spring ball. Daily Camera Buffaloes beat reporter Kyle Ringo has been on a tear this afternoon with tweeting updates from the media session.

Be sure to check out Ringo's entire timeline for relevant Buffaloes news. Here are two things that sparked our interest:

Kyle Washington will experiment with playing linebacker this spring. Parker Orms and Paul Vigo will do the same at safety. #CUBuffs #Pac12

— Kyle Ringo (@KyleRingo) March 1, 2012

Washington came to Colorado last season with the "athlete" tag, and played some defensive back.

Ringo also reported that Colorado kicker Will Oliver had shoulder surgery over the offseason.

Embree said place-kicker Will Oliver had shoulder surgery. Should be fine for spring. Grossnickle will get a look as kickoff man #CUBuffs

— Kyle Ringo (@KyleRingo) March 1, 2012

For more on the Buffaloes, visit Colorado blog Ralphie Report. Head over to SB Nation NCAA Football for more on the coming 2012 college season.

The Colorado Buffaloes announced on Wednesday that offensive tackle Paulay Asiata and wide receiver Austin Vincent will no longer be with the team, reports Buffzone.com. Head coach Jon Embree confirmed this news to Kyle Ringo through a text message.

Both Asiata and Vincent were members of the Buffaloes' 2011 recruiting class. Asiata was, depending on which recruiting service be viewed, had Asiata rated as a three- or four-star recruit, making him the top recruit if the 2011 class. Asiata came from Honolulu, HI, to play football. Vincent was a two-star receiver from Texas.

Asiata and Vincent became academically ineligible during the fall and will move on from Colorado. However, Vincent also was suspended by the school for his arrest on charges of allegedly exposing himself in public.

Will Embree make a late push for more recruits on the offensive line and at receiver before National Signing Day on Wednesday, Feb. 1?

For more on the Buffaloes, visit Colorado blog Ralphie Report. Head over to SB Nation NCAA Football for more on the coming 2012 college season.