Scary Injury Sidelined John Michael Gyllenborg in Fort Collins

LARAMIE -- "You're not playing."

John Michael Gyllenborg didn't expect to hear those words, especially with the annual Border War just two days away. The ramifications were just too risky, the doctor warned. A shoulder/ collarbone injury could turn deadly.

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"There was no discussion. I was caught off guard," Gyllenborg said. "I told him I feel alright and he told me that there's something with the growth plate where it's just vulnerable. If I take another hit, like, it'll split, or something. Something really dangerous could happen so I need another week."

The Kansas product rubbed his neck area with his thumb and pointer finger.

"He said it could snap and go into my esophagus," he added. "That's the worst (case scenario) but it's still a risk."

Gyllenborg was forced to watch from the sideline as his Wyoming teammates dropped a 24-10 decision to rival Colorado State. Tight ends Clay Nanke and Nick Miles accounted for just two catches and 10 yards in that setback inside Canvas Stadium.

This wasn't the first time this season the 6-foot-5, 247-pound junior has been a spectator, helplessly looking on as his offensive unit struggled. Gyllenborg missed the season opener at Arizona State with a high-ankle sprain. He didn't suit up the following week against Idaho, either.

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Kaden Anderson and Co. managed just 237 yards of total offense in that loss to the Rams. Just 120 of those came through the air.

"It's tough," Gyllenborg said. "As a competitor, being on the sideline in that type of game -- that's the one that would have been really fun to play in, and that crowd and environment was really fun and cool -- that one was tough. I know there's nothing I could do, so I was at peace on the sideline, just kind of in coaching mode and getting the guys going."

Gyllenborg, who has 23 grabs for 355 yards and two touchdowns, is in hopes he can leave his street clothes in his locker this Saturday.

Wyoming is a 20-plus point underdog against No. 13 Boise State.

That team is currently in the midst of an eight-game winning streak. That team has its collective sights set on entering the 12-team College Football Playoff. That team has Heisman Trophy hopeful Ashton Jeanty in its backfield.

That team has beaten the Cowboys seven straight times and in 16 of 17 all-time meetings.

"It's one of those games," Gyllenborg said with a slight grin. "You know, who really believes in us outside this locker room? I don't know if anyone really does. So, we're just going to go out there, play free and loose, and see what we can do."

Though he is focused solely on the visiting Broncos and the improbable task at hand, Gyllenborg is also keeping an eye toward the future. He said he plans to be back in Laramie for his senior season. This showing in 2024, he added, is not indicative of what this roster can accomplish.

It's simply a bad year.

"I do, and that's without hesitation," Gyllenborg said, referring to this program still having a solid foundation despite the myriad of issues this fall. "It's hard to really back that up with a 2-8 record, but we all know that we have great leadership, we have a really good locker room and we have talent. It's just, some things haven't fallen our way. You can look at this, that and the other -- it's just been a tough year."

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