One of the Jacksonville Jaguars’ biggest fears came to fruition as top rookie Travis Hunter sustained a knee injury during practice and will now miss at least the next four games after being placed on injured reserve.
“We’re currently assessing the injury to determine the best course of action moving forward for Travis and for the team,” Jacksonville Jaguars head coach Liam Coen said in a press conference Friday morning.
Hunter, whom Jacksonville traded up to draft second overall, is trying to become the NFL’s first full-time two-way player in roughly 60 years, has endured a bit of a roller coaster of an introduction to the professional ranks.
The Jaguars worked hard to avoid overtaxing him during the acclimation process, practicing the Heisman Trophy winner primarily on offense during offseason practices and then setting up designated days for him to practice on each side of the ball in alternating fashion during training camp.
Hunter missed a portion of the preseason with an upper-body injury, and his workload had fluctuated during the first seven games of the regular season. Hunter had his most impactful game in Week 7 when he recorded eight receptions for 101 yards and his first touchdown while receiving 14 targets in a 35-7 loss to the L.A. Rams. Hunter logged 67 offensive snaps but only 14 defensive snaps. Defensively, Hunter recorded one pass breakup in that contest.
“You feel bad for the guy,” Coen said. “But he’s in good spirits right now, and a minor setback for a major comeback. That’s just the way it’s gotta be.”
The Jaguars were set to return from their Week 8 bye when Hunter sustained his injury in practice. NFL rules require any player placed on injured reserve to miss at least four games, meaning Hunter wouldn’t be eligible to return to action until Week 13. It wasn’t clear if the Jaguars expected his absence to extend further.
“We’re still evaluating it,” Coen said.
For the season, Hunter has recorded 28 catches on 45 targets for 298 yards and one touchdown. As a cornerback, he has recorded 15 tackles, three pass breakups and a fumble recovery.
Hunter’s offensive production has fallen short of fellow rookie wide receivers like Tampa Bay’s Emeka Egbuka (34 catches, 63 targets, 562 yards, five touchdowns) and Carolina’s Tetairoa McMillan (37 catches, 63 targets, 512 yards, two touchdowns. But some of that also has to do with the Jaguars’ efforts to maintain a manageable workload in hopes of not overworking Hunter.
At various points during the season, the Jaguars have used him primarily on pass-heavy downs on offense, and on third downs on defense rather than as an every-down player. However, the Rams game saw coach Liam Coen prioritize getting the ball to Hunter, giving him a season-high in targets and offensive snaps.
Hunter ranks 163rd in receiving yards among rookie wide receivers through their first seven games.
“There is not one trait other than ball skills that makes him different on offense,” said an NFL team exec. “To reach his highest level, he is going to be in one spot, and it is going to be at corner.”
So far this season, the 2024 Heisman Trophy winner has played 67 percent of the snaps on offense, which was fourth-most among rookie wideouts. Hunter has been in the game on 36 percent of defensive snaps, which is 15th-most among rookie defensive backs.
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