The Jacksonville Jaguars have placed rookie wide receiver and cornerback Travis Hunter on injured reserve after he sustained a non-contact knee injury during practice on Thursday, as confirmed by Coach Liam Coen. Hunter is expected to miss at least four games.
Testing showed that Hunter’s ACL is intact, and further evaluations will determine the injury’s extent and anticipated recovery time. No specific timetable is available yet, with updates expected next week, according to ESPN.
Selected as the second overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, Hunter’s contributions have been growing steadily on both offense and defense. Following a quiet start to the season, he was starting to become more involved in the passing game and rotating more frequently in the secondary. The team planned to increase his touches after the bye week.
“We’re currently assessing the injury just to determine the best course of action moving forward for Travis and for the team,” Coach Coen stated on Friday. “I feel bad for the guy, for the kid, for our team, everything, but he’s in good spirits. Minor setback for a major comeback. That’s just the way it’s gotta be.”
Hunter, a Heisman Trophy winner at Colorado, has recorded 28 receptions for 298 yards and one touchdown through seven matches. His only touchdown was a 34-yard reception during a 35-7 loss against the Los Angeles Rams in London.
What’s next for the Jaguars with Hunter sidelined?
The team’s surprising success at 4-1 before losing two consecutive games has been impacted by Hunter’s injury, which halts his increasing role on offense and defense. The Jaguars, now 4-3, will face the Las Vegas Raiders this Sunday. Hunter could return by Week 13 against the Tennessee Titans, contingent on his recovery.
Hunter is currently the second-leading receiver for the Jaguars, trailing behind Brian Thomas Jr., who has 27 receptions for 365 yards. Moving forward, Dyami Brown and veteran Tim Patrick may see more targets in the passing game during Hunter’s absence. Coach Coen expressed confidence in the team’s ability to adapt without Hunter.
