Oklahoma State will again be without starting safety Mose Phillips III when it hosts Colorado, while tight end Oscar Hammond is beginning to earn a larger role after returning to health. Coach Eric Morris said Hammond could see his workload increase, giving the Cowboys another option alongside heavily used tight end Carson Kolb. Freshman receiver Dayvon Standard is also working back from injury, but his role remains uncertain.

By the Numbers
  • Phillips has started 4 games this season; OSU’s 2 losses came in games he didn’t start.
  • Hammond played 16 offensive snaps against Houston, compared with 3 previously this season.
  • Kolb has played 338 snaps; the next-most-used tight end, Morgan McPhaul, has played 58.
Yes, But

Hammond adds size and pass-catching potential, but he is still building back after missing last season with an injury and made a couple of mental errors against Houston. Phillips’ absence also puts more responsibility on Evan Jackson, who gave up a touchdown among four catches allowed on six targets against the Cougars.

State of Play
  • Phillips is expected to miss his second straight game against Colorado.
  • Morris plans to gradually add Hammond to the offense, while Standard continues working back from injury.
What’s Next

Hammond’s playing time could keep growing as he gets healthier, potentially easing Kolb’s workload and adding a different look to the passing game. Standard’s return timeline and eventual role remain unclear.

Bottom Line

OSU is managing key availability issues, but Hammond’s return offers a potential boost: a healthy, versatile tight end could give the Cowboys more options as the season moves forward.