The worst is about to be confirmed for Travis Hunter?

The start of Travis Hunter's professional career could be in for a slight setback.

The Jacksonville Jaguars' first-year hybrid player is suffering from an upper-body injury and is likely to miss his team's second preparatory game against the New Orleans Saints, scheduled for Sunday.

Although present on the practice field, Hunter did not actively participate in the session. He did, however, remain attentive alongside receivers coach Edgard Bennett, playbook in hand. According to head coach Liam Coen, this approach is designed to keep the player engaged despite his physical absence: “When a player is injured, he needs to stay focused, watch every sequence and take mental reps.”

A versatile prospect under close scrutiny

Selected second overall in the 2025 draft, Hunter is attracting a lot of attention for his rare versatility. Capable of playing on both sides of the ball, he has already racked up 364 games in seven-on-seven situations in the first 15 practices of camp. Last Thursday, he took part in 17 games on forward and 16 on defense, proof of the confidence the organization has in him.

His first exhibition game, against the Pittsburgh Steelers, was a low-key affair. Hunter limited himself to two receptions for nine yards and recorded no defensive tackles. Fans had hoped to see him bounce back quickly against the Saints, but his injury may delay that.

For the Jaguars, the priority remains the health of their young star, considered a key piece of the long-term project. Even if he were to miss a warm-up game, the team doesn't want to take any unnecessary risks in August. Hunter remains a key element in Jacksonville's future, both in terms of energizing the forward line and strengthening the defense.

This content was created with the help of AI.