Football: Colorado DE Nikhil Webb-Walker diagnosed with lymphoma

Buffaloes defensive end Nikhil Webb-Walker diagnosed with non-Hodgkin lymphoma

Nikhil Webb-Walker, a defensive end for the Colorado Buffaloes, has been diagnosed with non-Hodgkin lymphoma, the team announced Monday. The diagnosis comes after Webb-Walker was admitted to the hospital last week with what was initially believed to be a viral infection.

Webb-Walker has started all 12 games for the Buffaloes this season, recording 24 tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss and 2.5 sacks

Webb-Walker, a redshirt junior from Aurora, Colorado, has been a key contributor for the Buffaloes this season. He has started all 12 games and has recorded 24 tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss and 2.5 sacks. In 2021, he played in 11 games with five starts and had 17 tackles and two tackles for loss.

Webb-Walker is expected to undergo treatment in the coming weeks and will miss the remainder of the season

Webb-Walker is expected to undergo treatment in the coming weeks and will miss the remainder of the season. The Buffaloes have three games remaining on their schedule, including a home game against Utah on Friday. Colorado is 1-11 this season.

In a statement, Colorado head coach Karl Dorrell said: "Nikhil is a great kid and a great teammate. We are all behind him and will support him in any way we can. We know he will fight hard and overcome this challenge."

Lymphoma is a cancer of the lymphatic system, which is a network of vessels and nodes that helps fight infection. Non-Hodgkin lymphoma is the most common type of lymphoma. According to the American Cancer Society, the five-year survival rate for people with non-Hodgkin lymphoma is 70%.