Travis Hunter Out with Upper Body Injury for Jaguars' Game vs. Tyler Shough, Saints

Jacksonville Jaguars rookie Travis Hunter won't play in Sunday's NFL preseason game against the New Orleans Saints.

Head coach Liam Coen said on Friday that the No. 2 overall pick is dealing with an unspecified upper body injury.

Hunter doesn't have to play another preseason snap and he's all but assured of having a starting spot in Jacksonville. The next two weeks will at least help the coaching staff determine how it will use the 2024 Heisman Trophy winner.

In a 31-25 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers, Hunter was deployed almost equally on offense and defense.

Earlier in the offseason, Coen said the Jaguars would have the two-way standout focus on only one side in order to help get him up to speed in the NFL. As the summer went on, he'd have the chance to split reps at wide receiver and defensive back.

Jacksonville has Hunter listed as a starting wideout and backup cornerback on its unofficial depth chart. When the rubber meets the road, Coen and his staff may decide its best for him to focus primarily on one position. A two-way role is a lot to put on any player's plate, let alone one without any pro experience.

Now, the Jaguars might have to make that determination with one fewer appearance from Hunter's preseason.