The Jacksonville Jaguars watched Travis Hunter's rookie season end far too soon. Yet inside the organization, you won't find any panic. Instead, there is a strong sense of patience and unwavering confidence. Hunter's year finished much earlier than anyone planned, but the Jaguars now feel they have a clearer picture of how to use him moving forward.
Fans Feel the Frustration, But the Vision Remains
For the fans, the wait has been incredibly frustrating. The team drafted Hunter to be that rare player who could make a real impact on both offense and defense. That original vision has not changed one bit. Even after a significant injury cut his season short, the Jaguars still view him as a crucial long-term piece. They believe he has the potential to play a major role once he returns to full health.
How the 2026 Role is Taking Shape
The Jacksonville Jaguars selected Travis Hunter with the second overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. Expectations were sky-high from the very beginning. Those plans hit a major snag on October 30th. Hunter suffered a non-contact injury to his right knee during a practice before the Week 9 game against the Las Vegas Raiders.
He later underwent surgery on November 11th to repair his lateral collateral ligament. The important news is that doctors found no damage to his ACL. The recovery timeline is approximately six months. The Jaguars expect Hunter to be fully cleared for all football activities by May 2026.
Team officials report that his rehabilitation is progressing exactly as expected. There have been no setbacks so far. This confidence was evident during a recent press conference. General Manager James Gladstone and Head Coach Liam Coen both discussed Hunter's future in detail. They made it abundantly clear the team still sees him as a player who can contribute on both sides of the ball.
Roster Changes May Define His Path
General Manager James Gladstone explained that upcoming roster changes could naturally push Hunter into a larger defensive role next season. Several cornerbacks are heading toward free agency, which would open significant opportunities.
"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," Gladstone said. "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."
A Glimpse of His Rookie Performance
During his shortened rookie season, the Jaguars used Hunter more frequently on offense. Let's look at the numbers:
- He played 324 offensive snaps compared to 162 defensive snaps across seven games.
- On offense, he caught 28 passes for 298 yards and scored one touchdown.
- Defensively, he added 11 tackles and defended three passes.
Before the injury occurred, the Jaguars were already planning to expand his workload after the team's bye week. That plan never disappeared. It was simply postponed. Coach Liam Coen noted it is still too early to map out Hunter's exact usage for the entire 2026 season, especially with many offseason changes still on the horizon.
Patience is the Current Strategy
For now, the entire Jacksonville organization is focused on one thing: recovery. They are exercising patience. Travis Hunter's rookie year may have ended prematurely, but the Jaguars firmly believe his best football is still ahead of him. The wait continues, but the confidence within the building has not wavered.
