Travis Hunter sustained a knee injury at practice ahead of the Jacksonville Jaguars’ Week 9 game against the Las Vegas Raiders. Unfortunately, what initially appeared to be a manageable injury turned out to be far more serious. When might fantasy football managers see the explosive rookie play again?
Travis Hunter Injury Update
Hunter suffered a non-contact knee injury during Thursday’s practice ahead of Week 9. Head coach Liam Coen confirmed the injury on Friday and the rookie was placed on injured reserve.​
Initial testing revealed that Hunter’s ACL was intact, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter. The Jaguars expressed confidence that Hunter did not sustain any serious long-term damage to his knee, per reports at the time.​
However, those initial reports suggesting it was not long-term were incorrect. Hunter underwent surgery on Monday to repair his LCL, which will sideline him for the remainder of the season.​
According to Ian Rapoport, Hunter had season-ending knee surgery with eyes set on 2026. “It was an LCL repair. He’s expected to return within 6 months to full football activities,” Rapoport reported.​
While Hunter received good news about his ACL being intact, he ultimately needed to have his LCL repaired. The six-month timeline to return to full football activities should have him back toward the end of the offseason with plenty of time before training camp.​
Hunter should be fine for the start of team activities in 2026. The timeline places his full recovery in May 2026, giving him the entire offseason to prepare for his second NFL season.​
Hunter Fantasy Outlook
Hunter posted the best game of his young career in Week 7, recording an 8-101-1 stat line on 14 targets against the Cleveland Browns. He registered career-best numbers in snap share, route share, targets, and receiving yards while securing his first touchdown. The rookie appeared ready for a post-bye surge after that breakout performance.​
His momentum has now been permanently derailed for 2025 by the knee injury. In seven games this season, Hunter appeared in both offensive and defensive roles for Jacksonville. He caught 28 passes for 298 yards and one touchdown on offense. Defensively, he recorded 15 total tackles, a fumble recovery, and three passes defensed.​
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Hunter played 67 percent of offensive snaps and 36 percent of defensive snaps in Jacksonville’s first seven games this year. His offensive snap share had steadily climbed from 53% in Week 4 to 87% in Week 7, demonstrating growing trust from the coaching staff.​
ESPN’s Michael DiRocco had reported that Hunter was “going to be a significant player in the offense going forward” and could receive “the WR1 treatment from the Jaguars in the season’s second half”. Those plans are now on hold until 2026.​
With Hunter out for the season, Parker Washington and Dyami Brown will continue assuming larger roles in the receiving corps alongside Brian Thomas Jr. when the latter can return from his high ankle sprain that already cost him a game.
Hunter can be safely dropped in redraft leagues. With his season over and no chance of return until 2026, there is no reason for fantasy managers to hold him on rosters. Dynasty and keeper league managers should hold him, as the six-month recovery timeline suggests he’ll be ready for training camp and the 2026 season.​
