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Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Travis Hunter (12) walks off the field after the second day of minicamp at the Miller Electric Center, Wednesday, June 10, 2026, in Jacksonville. © Doug Engle/Florida Times-Union
Travis Hunter is currently working his way back from a knee injury, keeping him off the field while the Jacksonville Jaguars prepare for the 2026 campaign.
The good news is that he is expected to receive full clearance before training camp and should be ready to suit up against the Cleveland Browns in Week 1.
However, the bigger conversation around Hunter is how to deploy him once he returns.
Booger McFarland Wants a Balanced Approach Instead of Forcing Travis Hunter Into Dual Roles Immediately
Speaking on“NFL on ESPN,” two-time Super Bowl champion Booger McFarland explained why Jacksonville should let Hunter establish himself at one position before expanding his responsibilities.
“I think he needs to be a cornerback first and foremost, understand the nuances of being the best cornerback in football, which he has the potential to, and then you sprinkle him in on offense,” he said.
“I think we all have to take a step back and say we all were wrong, and he could come in and be a full-time wide receiver in a full-time corner.”
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The Jaguars drafted Hunter with the No. 2 overall pick in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft because they believed he could change games on both sides of the ball.
However, that vision hit an early roadblock. A non-contact knee injury in late October cut his first season short after only seven games, delaying Jacksonville’s long-term plan for its versatile playmaker.
Across those seven appearances, he handled 67% of Jacksonville’s offensive snaps while also logging 36% of its defensive plays.
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Those numbers showed that the coaching staff already trusted him with a demanding workload despite the adjustment to the NFL. And Hunter also backed up that trust with steady production.
He hauled in 28 receptions for 298 yards and one touchdown while continuing to contribute on defense with three passes defended and 15 tackles.
Recently, head coach Liam Coen also revealed that the Jaguars remain confident in Hunter’s future.
“[We didn’t draft Hunter] to come in and automatically be our No. 1 receiver and No. 1 corner. There’s an adjustment period for any rookie,” Coen said on “The Schrager Hour.” “A huge reason why we took him was because of that competitive spirit, because of that confidence that he oozes… He’s special.”
Coen also highlighted another trait that continues to impress the coaching staff every day.
“His endurance and ability to just run forever is something pretty cool to see when you watch him practice in July or August in the summer, in the heat, and he’s not dying, he’s not, you know, crushed, he’s not sweating. It’s like, dude, what are you made of?” Coen added.
That stamina gives Jacksonville confidence that Hunter can eventually thrive while handling snaps on both sides of the football.
For now, the Jaguars plan to keep Hunter involved offensively while expanding his responsibilities on defense beyond what he handled last season.
If he successfully manages that heavier workload, Jacksonville could finally bring its original two-way vision to life and prove thepatient approach was the right one all along.
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