Jaguars want Travis Hunter to return as a dual-threat player despite injury setback: "We expect him to play on both sides of the ball"

The Jacksonville Jaguars did not get a full rookie season from Travis Hunter, but inside the organization, there is no sense of panic. Instead, there is patience and confidence. Hunter’s year ended much earlier than planned, yet the Jaguars believe they now have a better understanding of how they want to use him moving forward.
For fans, the wait has been frustrating. Hunter was drafted to be a rare kind of player, someone who could contribute on both offense and defense. That vision has not changed. Even after an injury cut his season short, the Jaguars still see him as a long-term piece with the potential to play a major role once he is fully healthy.

How the Jaguars see Travis Hunter’s role taking shape in 2026

Travis Hunter was taken second overall in the 2025 NFL Draft, and expectations were high from the start. Those plans were interrupted on October 30, when Hunter suffered a non-contact injury to his right knee during practice ahead of the Week 9 game against the Las Vegas Raiders. He later underwent surgery on November 11 to repair his lateral collateral ligament. Importantly, there was no damage to his ACL. The recovery timeline is about six months, and the Jaguars expect Hunter to be cleared for full football activity by May 2026. Team officials have said his rehab is progressing as expected, with no setbacks so far. That confidence carried into a recent press conference, where general manager James Gladstone and head coach Liam Coen discussed Hunter’s future. Both made it clear the team still views him as a player who can contribute on both sides of the ball.
Gladstone explained that roster changes could naturally push Hunter into a larger defensive role next season. Several cornerbacks are heading toward free agency, which could open opportunities. As Gladstone put it, “You can take a look at the contracts that are set to expire on our roster and see on which side of the ball there are more. Right now, heading into the offseason, the cornerback position is one where we have several players with contracts that are coming to an end. So, by default, you can expect a greater emphasis on his placement.”
During his shortened rookie season, Hunter was used more on offense. He played 324 offensive snaps compared to 162 on defense across seven games. In that stretch, he caught 28 passes for 298 yards and one touchdown. Defensively, he added 11 tackles and three passes defended.
Before the injury, the Jaguars were already planning to expand his workload after the bye week. That plan never went away. It was simply delayed. Coen said it is still too early to map out Hunter’s exact usage for the entire 2026 season, especially with offseason changes still ahead.
For now, Jacksonville is focused on recovery and patience. Hunter’s rookie year may have ended early, but the Jaguars still believe his best football is ahead of him.
Also read: Reporter’s post-game encouragement to Jaguars head coach Liam Coen draws mixed response following playoff elimination

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