Travis Hunter makes major two-way role shift for Jaguars-Browns in Week 1
· Yahoo Sports
Travis Hunter will begin his second NFL season with the Jacksonville Jaguars, testing a new version of their two-way experiment built around his return from knee surgery and a plan that puts defense first.
NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported early Sunday that Hunter will work as a full-time cornerback and part-time receiver against the Cleveland Browns, reversing the position split Jacksonville used during his abbreviated rookie season.
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Jaguars reverse Hunter’s rookie role
“It’s going to be a little different than last year, actually the opposite of what it was last year,” Rapoport said. “Travis Hunter, my understanding, is going to be a full-time cornerback, not the full-time receiver that he was last year. He is still going to play some receiver. He’s got some packages. It’s not red zone. I wondered if it might be. It’s not. It’s more of a specialty situation, basically whenever they need him.”
Rapoport said the assignment applies specifically to the opener. Hunter’s offensive packages are designed for selected situations rather than exclusively for chances near the goal line.
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Why is Jacksonville changing course?
Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Travis Hunter (12) yells as he is introduced before an NFL football matchup at EverBank Stadium.Hunter played 67% of Jacksonville’s offensive snaps and 36% of its defensive snaps before his rookie season ended. He caught 28 passes for 298 yards and one touchdown while making 15 tackles and breaking up three passes in seven games.
The Jaguars’ Week 1 depth chart reflects the reversal. Hunter is listed as a starting cornerback for a defense that helped Jacksonville finish 13-4 and win the AFC South last season. He appears second behind Brian Thomas Jr. at one receiver spot, with Parker Washington and Jakobi Meyers listed as the other starters.
Coach Liam Coen said Friday that Hunter’s offensive workload will remain fluid. Coen has not set a snap total and does not believe Jacksonville must force Hunter into the offensive plan each week.
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Hunter’s return brings uncertainty
Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Travis Hunter (12) runs the ball during the first half against the Seattle Seahawks at EverBank Stadium.Sunday’s game will be Hunter’s first since October 2025. He tore the LCL in his right knee during an Oct. 30 practice and underwent season-ending surgery Nov. 11. The Jaguars said the injury caused no additional damage, and Hunter returned as a full participant throughout training camp.
“That is the plan for this week: full-time corner and then part-time receiver,” Rapoport said. “It could actually flip next week or in the following weeks because he is that talented.”
Rapoport also identified Hunter’s recovery as a Week 1 variable, saying Jacksonville must see “how active he is today and how much like himself he looks.”
Hunter told team reporters Thursday that he felt rusty early in camp before finding his rhythm. His first test comes against Cleveland at 1 p.m. ET, when Jacksonville will learn how much of its rare two-way weapon is ready almost 11 months after his last game.
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