Travis Hunter was the biggest story in the 2025 NFL Draft. The two-way player was the subject of many discussions before the event, and he ended up being the second overall pick for the Jacksonville Jaguars after their trade with the Cleveland Browns. With his performance affected by injuries, his return in 2026 will be worth following.
Travis Hunter Set To Fully Return To Practice During Training Camp
Hunter suffered a torn lateral collateral ligament in his right knee and missed the second half of the season after surgery. Despite expectations to watch him perform as a two-way player in the NFL, he played in just seven games, with 298 receiving yards, 15 tackles, and 3 passes defended.
The Jaguars were a surprising team. They won the AFC South for the first time since 2022 before losing a close game in the Wild Card round to the Buffalo Bills. It was a promising start to Liam Coen’s tenure in Jacksonville, and it could go even further with the return of his superstar.
On Thursday, James Gladstone and Liam Coen held a pre-draft press conference, and reporters asked about Hunter’s return to action after his surgery. The Jaguars general manager eased fans’ concerns with his answer, and the two-way phenom is expected to be 100% when training camp arrives.
“He’ll be, for all intents and purposes, a limited participant throughout the offseason program with eyes on return to play at full tick in training camp,” Gladstone said.
The Jaguars will hope to see more of their 2025 first-round pick, especially on defense. He played at a high level on this side of the ball, and Greg Newsome left for the New York Giants in free agency. For Jacksonville, having him on the roster will be essential to complete a new playoff push, especially with the Houston Texans in the division.
The wide receiver position, on the other hand, is well-stacked even without counting Hunter. Jakobi Meyers was an excellent midseason addition, and Parker Washington emerged as a viable option for Trevor Lawrence. Jacksonville will also count on Brian Thomas to bounce back, as the 2024 first-round pick struggled at times in 2025.
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Hunter’s performance as a receiver wasn’t approved by our PFSN WR Impact Metric, which handed him an impact score of 68.9, and ranked him 87th among receivers in the league last season. Even with his potential to play multiple positions in the NFL, he still has a few ways to go before establishing himself as a household name in the pros.
For the Jaguars, though, patience is the key, and the franchise seems relaxed about the situation. A successful first year for Coen eased the pressure on the front office. Giving Hunter enough time to heal and recover will be key to pushing Jacksonville one step further in the playoffs.
