What Happened to Travis Hunter, and Is the Jaguars Star in Danger of Missing Week 1?

Travis Hunter’s NFL debut was one of the biggest storylines of Week 1 in the preseason, and the rookie lived up to the hype by showcasing his two-way skills for the Jacksonville Jaguars.

But the excitement has been tempered after the Colorado alum picked up an injury in practice, putting his availability for the rest of the preseason and possibly Week 1 of the regular season in doubt.

How Long Will Travis Hunter Remain Out?

Hunter, the No. 2 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, was held out of Jacksonville’s latest joint practice after picking up what head coach Liam Coen described as an “upper body injury.” 

While Coen downplayed the situation, stressing to reporters that the decision is merely a precaution and that Hunter remains day-to-day rather than week-to-week, NFL insider Ian Rapoport believes the Jaguars could play it safe and hold Hunter out of their second preseason matchup.

Nevertheless, it’s encouraging that the Jaguars are not sounding any alarms and are more concerned about keeping their star rookie healthy than forcing preseason reps. With just under three weeks until Week 1, there is time for Hunter to recover fully, and minor injuries at this stage are rarely a long-term concern.

How Did Hunter Perform In His Preseason Debut?

During his time playing under the legendary Deion Sanders at Colorado, Hunter became famous for his ability to play both wide receiver and cornerback. The Jaguars saw the upside he could bring to their team, orchestrating a draft-day trade to move him from the fifth to the second overall pick.

While there were concerns about whether Hunter could translate his two-way playing style to the NFL, he immediately answered the question during his preseason debut against the Steelers.

Travis Hunter’s offensive and defensive highlights from last night’s NFL debut have gone viral. What do you notice?https://t.co/Q9oiVGY9LI

— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) August 10, 2025

He was part of the initial drive with Trevor Lawrence and the rest of the starting unit and grabbed two receptions for nine yards as the Jaguars secured three points with a field goal.

On the defensive side of the ball, the rookie was on the field for eight plays. However, he didn’t see the ball come his way a ton, leading to a final stat line at halftime that reflected just one missed tackle.

With both squads emptying their benches in the second half, Hunter logged 18 total snaps — 10 on offense and the rest on defense. Though still a work in progress, he gave fans a glimpse of his unique potential. Now, the focus shifts to his recovery as the Jaguars hope he can be ready for Week 1 against the Carolina Panthers.