What Happened to Travis Hunter? Latest on Jaguars Star’s Injury, and Whether He Will Return for Playoffs
The Jacksonville Jaguars wagered their future on a revolutionary two-way talent, and for seven games, Travis Hunter delivered. But an October practice injury halted one of the league’s most fascinating experiments before it truly took flight.
With surgery now complete and the 2025 season slipping away, the focus shifts to a recovery timeline that stretches well into next spring.
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When Will Travis Hunter Return to Action?
Hunter’s rookie campaign officially ended on Oct. 30 during a non-contact defensive drill. While initial tests offered hope by showing an intact ACL, further imaging confirmed a tear in his lateral collateral ligament (LCL). The team placed him on injured reserve the next day and sent him to Dallas for surgery on Nov. 11.
Dr. Dan Cooper, assisted by Jaguars team physician Dr. Kevin Kaplan, repaired the ligament and shared a crucial positive update: the injury was isolated. Isolated LCL tears are rare, as these injuries typically involve damage to surrounding tissues; therefore, this diagnosis simplifies the path forward.
This clean surgical outcome suggests a standard six-month recovery period. That timeline puts Hunter back on the field for football activities around May 2026, confirming he will not return at any point during the current season.
Before going down, Hunter was rapidly evolving into the focal point of Jacksonville’s attack. He tallied 28 catches for 298 yards and a touchdown in his seven appearances, highlighted by a breakout performance against the Los Angeles Rams in Week 7, where he snagged eight passes for 101 yards. PFSN’s WR Impact metric assigned him a 67.9 score and a D+ grade for his early efforts.
MORE: 3-Round 2026 NFL Mock Draft
He didn’t just contribute on offense. Hunter played legitimate snaps at cornerback, recording 15 tackles and three pass breakups while showcasing the versatility that made him a draft sensation. His dual-threat capabilities defined the team’s early identity, especially as fellow receiver Brian Thomas Jr. struggled with injuries and inconsistency.
Hunter’s absence forces the offensive staff to reshuffle the deck. According to ESPN, Trevor Lawrence will now lean heavily on Parker Washington and midseason trade acquisition Jakobi Meyers to fill the void. The defense also faces adjustments without a cover man who could shadow top opposing receivers.
Despite the setback, the mood inside the building remains hopeful. The successful surgery and lack of structural complications have trainers feeling good about his long-term prognosis. However, head coach Liam Coen noted that conversations regarding Hunter’s future workload as a two-way player won’t happen until the offseason.
Some league observers believe the Jaguars might bring him back in 2026 strictly as a receiver, before reintroducing him to defensive snaps. For now, Jacksonville maintains they won’t rush any decisions regarding his role or rehabilitation.
Jacksonville Jaguars’ Stats and Insights for Week 15
Team: After Week 11, the Jaguars were two games behind the Indianapolis Colts in the AFC South. Jacksonville ended Week 14 with a one-game lead over Indianapolis and Houston in the division.
QB: Trevor Lawrence had the best OFFi score of Week 14 (84.3, B) against the Colts. He has thrown seven touchdown passes in the last three games. He had 11 in the first ten games.
Offense: Jacksonville has won five of the last six games and averaged 30.3 points per game. The only loss occurred in Week 10, when the Jaguars surrendered a 19-point lead in the fourth quarter against the Texans.
Defense: Josh Hines-Allen had half a sack in the first seven games. He has 6.5 sacks in the last six games.
Fantasy: Trevor Lawrence is on the streaming radar this weekend. Jakobi Meyers has earned volume every week since joining the team, and Brian Thomas offered enough in the way of spike plays last week to give Lawrence optionality.
