The Jacksonville Jaguars wagered their future on a revolutionary two-way expertise, and for seven video games, Travis Hunter delivered. However an October follow harm halted one of many league’s most fascinating experiments earlier than it really took flight.
With surgical procedure now full and the 2025 season slipping away, the main focus shifts to a restoration timeline that stretches effectively into subsequent spring.
When Will Travis Hunter Return to Motion?
Hunter’s rookie marketing campaign formally ended on Oct. 30 throughout a non-contact defensive drill. Whereas preliminary exams provided hope by exhibiting an intact ACL, additional imaging confirmed a tear in his lateral collateral ligament (LCL). The workforce positioned him on injured reserve the subsequent day and despatched him to Dallas for surgical procedure on Nov. 11.
Dr. Dan Cooper, assisted by Jaguars workforce doctor Dr. Kevin Kaplan, repaired the ligament and shared a vital constructive replace: the harm was remoted. Remoted LCL tears are uncommon, as these accidents sometimes contain injury to surrounding tissues; due to this fact, this analysis simplifies the trail ahead.
This clear surgical end result suggests a typical six-month restoration interval. That timeline places Hunter again on the sphere for soccer actions round Could 2026, confirming he is not going to return at any level through the present season.
Earlier than happening, Hunter was quickly evolving into the focus of Jacksonville’s assault. He tallied 28 catches for 298 yards and a landing in his seven appearances, highlighted by a breakout efficiency in opposition to the Los Angeles Rams in Week 7, the place he snagged eight passes for 101 yards. PFSN’s WR Affect metric assigned him a 67.9 rating and a D+ grade for his early efforts.
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He didn’t simply contribute on offense. Hunter performed professional snaps at cornerback, recording 15 tackles and three cross breakups whereas showcasing the flexibility that made him a draft sensation. His dual-threat capabilities outlined the workforce’s early id, particularly as fellow receiver Brian Thomas Jr. struggled with accidents and inconsistency.
Hunter’s absence forces the offensive employees to reshuffle the deck. In accordance with ESPN, Trevor Lawrence will now lean closely on Parker Washington and midseason commerce acquisition Jakobi Meyers to fill the void. The protection additionally faces changes with out a cowl man who might shadow prime opposing receivers.
Regardless of the setback, the temper contained in the constructing stays hopeful. The profitable surgical procedure and lack of structural problems have trainers feeling good about his long-term prognosis. Nonetheless, head coach Liam Coen famous that conversations relating to Hunter’s future workload as a two-way participant gained’t occur till the offseason.
Some league observers consider the Jaguars may deliver him again in 2026 strictly as a receiver, earlier than reintroducing him to defensive snaps. For now, Jacksonville maintains they gained’t rush any selections relating to his function or rehabilitation.
Jacksonville Jaguars’ Stats and Insights for Week 15
Workforce: After Week 11, the Jaguars have been two video games behind the Indianapolis Colts within the AFC South. Jacksonville ended Week 14 with a one-game lead over Indianapolis and Houston within the division.
QB: Trevor Lawrence had the most effective OFFi rating of Week 14 (84.3, B) in opposition to the Colts. He has thrown seven landing passes within the final three video games. He had 11 within the first ten video games.
Offense: Jacksonville has gained 5 of the final six video games and averaged 30.3 factors per recreation. The one loss occurred in Week 10, when the Jaguars surrendered a 19-point lead within the fourth quarter in opposition to the Texans.
Protection: Josh Hines-Allen had half a sack within the first seven video games. He has 6.5 sacks within the final six video games.
Fantasy: Trevor Lawrence is on the streaming radar this weekend. Jakobi Meyers has earned quantity each week since becoming a member of the workforce, and Brian Thomas provided sufficient in the best way of spike performs final week to present Lawrence optionality.
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