Travis Hunter’s official NFL debut is rapidly approaching. When the Jaguars take on the Panthers in Week 1 of the 2025 season, fans will get the first look at 60 minutes worth of Hunter’s two-way stardom.
However, despite Hunter taking the field for his preseason debut on Aug. 9 against the Steelers, totaling two catches for nine yards, fans won’t notice Hunter playing in Jacksonville’s second preseason matchup.
On Sunday, the Jaguars will face the Saints in an exhibition game, but the wide receiver-cornerback hybrid won’t be playing.
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Here’s what to know about Hunter’s absence from the second week of Jacksonville’s preseason.
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Where is Travis Hunter?
New Jaguars head coach Liam Coen said Thursday that Hunter, who is dealing with an upper-body injury, may be held out of the Jaguars’ matchup against the Saints as a precaution. On Sunday, that was officially the case, with Hunter not taking the field on either the offensive or defensive side of the ball.
As a precaution, no Travis Hunter. https://t.co/v5v2yYQgfS
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) August 17, 2025
Hunter played 11 offensive snaps and five defensive snaps in Jacksonville’s first preseason game, slowly getting amped up for a more official Week 1 debut.
Travis Hunter makes his first catch of the preseason 👀
Stream on @NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/9IxLyHoJKS
— NFL (@NFL) August 9, 2025
While more action in Week 2 could have given more hints at how the Jaguars plan to deploy Hunter, he’ll have the day off against New Orleans for what appears to be a minor injury.
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Travis Hunter injury update
Hunter’s injury shouldn’t be considered concerning, at least for now. Coen said the former Colorado star was dealing with an “upper-body injury” but was being held out for precautionary reasons, per Ian Rapoport.
Hunter was also held out of the Jaguars’ walk-through on Friday as a precaution, but he was still present, per ESPN.
“That’s what they’re supposed to do when they’re hurt,” Coen said, per ESPN. “We want ’em to make sure that they’re locked in, getting all the calls, understanding the call and being able to watch and execute as well in their minds.”
In most cases, players being held out in precaution means they would suit up under usual circumstances, but Jacksonville would certainly much rather play it safe with its first-round pick in the preseason than risk further injury.
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Jaguars preseason schedule 2025
Hunter will have just one more opportunity to play in the preseason. Here are the remaining games on Jacksonville’s preseason schedule:
| Week | Date | Opponent | Time (ET) |
| 2 | Sunday, Aug. 17 | Saints | 1 p.m. |
| 3 | Saturday, Aug. 23 | Dolphins | 7 p.m. |
