Travis Hunter will not be on the field when the Jacksonville Jaguars take on the New Orleans Saints in their second preseason game on Sunday. The rookie wide receiver and cornerback is being held out as a precaution after picking up a minor upper-body injury earlier in the week.
Second action must wait
Hunter made his preseason debut on August 9 against the Pittsburgh Steelers. He played 11 snaps on offense and five on defense while catching two passes for nine yards. It was the first time Jaguars fans got to see their first-round pick in live NFL action. While he showed quickness and versatility, Jacksonville’s staff decided to be cautious with their top draft investment.
Head coach Liam Coen explained that the decision was not about serious concern but about making sure Hunter is healthy when the regular season begins. Hunter even sat out Friday’s team walk through but remained engaged from the sideline. Coen said the focus was on keeping him mentally sharp while avoiding any risk of making the injury worse.
Jaguars preparing for season
Jacksonville lost its first preseason game 21-16 to Tampa Bay, using the game to test young players and backups. Hunter’s snaps in that opener gave a glimpse of how the Jaguars may use him this season, splitting time between defense and offense. Missing the Saints game does take away another chance to evaluate him in live play, but the team believes it is smarter to wait until he is fully ready.
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Hunter’s path to Jacksonville was one of the biggest stories of this year’s draft. After starring at Colorado under coach Deion Sanders, he became known as one of the most versatile players in college football. The Jaguars selected him with the ninth overall pick in April, confident that his rare two-way ability could make a difference.
The Jaguars will face the Dolphins next Saturday in their third and final preseason matchup. That game could be Hunter’s last chance for live reps before the regular season kicks off against Carolina in Week 1. For now, the team is playing it safe with their prized rookie, choosing long-term health over short-term preseason snaps.
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