Travis Hunter's Injury Reportedly 'Minor,' Jaguars Not Concerned About Week 1 Status

Jacksonville Jaguars rookie Travis Hunter is dealing with a "minor" injury that reportedly is not cause for significant concern.

NFL Network's Cameron Wolfe provided an update Tuesday and said "I'm told if it was a regular-season game last weekend, he would have played" after Hunter missed Sunday's preseason contest against the New Orleans Saints.

Wolfe also added, "they have no concerns for him for Week 1."

Despite the upper-body injury, all indications are Hunter could be available for Saturday's preseason finale against the Miami Dolphins.

More importantly, he is well on track to being available for the Sept. 7 season opener against the Carolina Panthers.

Jacksonville made Hunter one of the faces of the franchise when it selected the Heisman Trophy winner with the No. 2 overall pick of the 2025 NFL draft. His ability to play on both sides of the ball is what makes him so unique, and the Jaguars have made it clear they plan on using him on offense and defense.

All he did in his final season at Colorado is take home the Heisman Trophy as a cornerback who won the Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year and a wide receiver who tallied 96 catches for 1,258 yards and 15 touchdown catches.

"I do think it's possible," Jaguars head coach Liam Coen said during an appearance on The Rich Eisen Show (8:10 mark) earlier this month when discussing whether he believes Hunter can win both the Offensive and Defensive Rookie of the Year awards.

"He is committed to driving not just himself but his teammates as well. And I think his teammates … these guys are challenging him every single day. He doesn't get a free pass because he was the second overall pick and he's Travis Hunter. … It's truly iron sharpening iron. That's what it feels like, and I wouldn't expect anything less from those guys. They've all been on board that they think he can do it as well, but they're going to make him earn it."

Jacksonville was 4-13 in 2024, but it is also just one season removed from back-to-back winning efforts in 2022 and 2023. 

It might not be that many pieces away from being a true contender, especially in an AFC South that may be wide open. If Hunter shines on both sides of the ball like he did in college, Jacksonville will be well-positioned to perhaps challenge for a playoff spot.

Which makes the latest update so important and encouraging as the Jaguars prepare for the season.