While the initial plan left the door open for both wide receiver and cornerback snaps, the latest reporting suggests the team believes a full-time defensive role is the most sustainable path forward. According to Ian Rapoport, the decision also aligns with Hunter’s recovery timeline as he works his way back from a right knee LCL injury.

“Travis Hunter is doing exceptionally well from that LCL tear. He has been running. They really do believe he’ll be fully healthy by training camp, but, when he comes back, they expect him to be a full time cornerback, part time receiver.”

Jaguars make final decision on Travis Hunter

The update effectively signals the end of the true two-way experiment with Travis Hunter, at least for now. Jacksonville had explored a rotational workload that would allow Hunter to contribute offensively in packages, but the physical toll and developmental priorities have pushed the coaching staff toward a more traditional role.

With training camp approaching, the expectation is that Hunter’s primary focus will be mastering coverage responsibilities, while any offensive usage becomes situational rather than foundational. For example, gadget plays.

Jaguars face criticism after Travis Hunter role decision

The reported plan has already fueled criticism toward general manager James Gladstone, particularly because of the aggressive move Jacksonville made to secure Hunter.

The Jaguars traded with the Cleveland Browns to climb to the No. 2 overall pick in 2025, surrendering significant capital that included their 2026 first-round selection. That type of investment typically signals a franchise cornerstone expected to impact multiple phases immediately.

If Hunter ultimately plays almost exclusively at cornerback, evaluators argue the value proposition becomes more complicated. His uniqueness as a two-way star was a major part of his appeal, and limiting him defensively could make the trade package appear steep in hindsight. While elite cornerbacks still carry premium value, critics believe the Jaguars effectively paid a dual-threat price for a single-position player.

Per Alessandra Pontbriand of WJXT4, Gladstone assured Hunter “will be a limited participant” throughout the offseason workouts. Hunter suffered a season-ending LCL injury during a practice on October 30.

The Jaguars’ running back room is settled trusting Bhayshul Tuten. However, Hunter is different, as he can play wideout and cornerback. He covers two positions and in both offense and defense.

Travis Hunter is trending towards one side of the football

While he had 67% of the snaps played on offense to just 36% on defense, the fact is Hunter was way more effective as a cornerback according to metrics. Also, there’s been rumors that Liam Coen, head coach of the team, is trending towards giving him more of a defensive output.

Having wideouts like Brian Thomas Jr., Jakobi Meyers, and Parker Washington also makes the decision easier. The Jaguars have depth, while the scenario is not alike on the corners. Hunter will be undoubtedly a CB1 if fully dedicated to defense.

Hunter is a boom-or-bust player

Being such a talked-about prospect, coming from Colorado, trained by Deion Sanders, and being a Shedeur Sanders teammate with big personality, Hunter has a lot of pressure on his shoulders.

His first season was underwhelming, and then he suffered the injury. Hence, now the pressure is even bigger. He was a second overall pick after all, plenty of hype was around him. He either delivers, or his career might spiral down.

The season-ending injury he suffered last year was devastating, although prior to it the level shown by the former Buffaloes standout was promising. Before going down, Hunter was on the field for 324 offensive plays and 162 defensive plays.

What will be interesting from here on out is the decision Liam Coen and the rest of his coaching staff make regarding the position he’ll occupy starting in Week 1. Will his role continue to lean toward wide receiver, or will he take on a bigger presence at cornerback?

According to a recent report from Cameron Wolfe of NFL Network, the Jacksonville Jaguars plan to make Travis Hunter a starting CB and have him play full-time on defense, while using him only part-time at WR.

Travis Hunter’s intriguing rookie season

Hunter’s rookie campaign with the Jaguars showcased his potential as a reliable target, primarily lining up as a wide receiver throughout the season. He finished his debut year with 28 receptions for 298 yards, finding the end zone once and maintaining a solid 10.6 average per catch.

While his numbers were modest, his ability to stretch the field and adapt to the professional pace suggests he could become a much bigger focal point in the offense moving forward.

What injury did Hunter suffer?

Hunter suffered a torn lateral collateral ligament (LCL) in his right knee during a practice on October 30, 2025. Following successful surgery in November, his recovery has been progressing smoothly; as of February 2026, head coach Liam Coen reported seeing him “bouncing around” in the weight room, signaling a strong rehabilitation. He is expected to be fully cleared for Week 1 of the 2026 season, with a high probability of participating in OTAs this May.

Last year, the Jaguars traded up in the NFL Draft to select Hunter, a rare two-way talent capable of playing both wide receiver and cornerback. However, the heavy workload may have taken its toll, as he suffered a season-ending injury late in the year.

In the aftermath of that setback, speculation has grown about whether Jacksonville should continue deploying Hunter on both sides of the ball. For now, Coen believes there is still time to evaluate the best approach moving forward.

“We’re gonna continue to evaluate,” Coen said on using Hunter as both WR and CB. “What does his schedule look like? Where do we need him more on this day or as a team. We’ll continue to be fluid with that.”

The Jaguars need Travis Hunter healthy in 2026

The Jaguars put together a strong 2025 campaign, overcoming the Colts and Texans to win the AFC South. Still, one lingering question remains: would their playoff run have been different if Hunter had been healthy?

Jacksonville fell 27-24 to the Buffalo Bills in the Wild Card round despite hosting the game. Many believe Hunter’s presence could have altered the outcome, which makes his health in 2026 a crucial factor for the franchise.

According to general manager James Gladstone, the Jaguars may consider using Hunter more heavily at cornerback than at wide receiver next season. While no final decision has been made, one thing is clear — managing his workload will be essential. Otherwise, the former Colorado standout risks an injury-plagued career instead of fulfilling his immense potential.

Coming back from a serious injury like the one the versatile player suffered at the end of October 2025 is often no easy task. However, the coach knows that Hunter will not only return in top form but will also be a threat to his opponents once again.

“A minor setback for a major comeback,” Coen said this week on the NFL Daily podcast with Gregg Rosenthal and Jourdan Rodrigue. “He will come back from this. He will be great.

“One step at a time, one day at a time. And what that looks like going forward, shoot, I can’t tell you — we were evolving as we went, right? Time at practice on offense, defense. We were pretty fluid with it, and so it will give us a great opportunity to evaluate it again this spring. I do expect him to return to form, though.”

What injury did Hunter suffer?

Jacksonville Jaguars star Travis Hunter is currently recovering from a season-ending knee injury suffered during a practice in late October 2025. He underwent successful surgery in November to repair his LCL, and his recovery is reportedly going as expected, with a projected return to football activities by May 2026.

Despite the injury, the Jaguars front office and head coach Liam Coen have made a final decision as they still plan to utilize him as a two-way player (cornerback and wide receiver) in the upcoming 2026 season.

“It was so unfortunate to get hurt like that on a bye-week practice that he had just come off having a 100-yard game,” Coen also added. “It made us obviously have to pivot in some ways, and it was super frustrating, but he is the type of human being, the type of dude that will get better from this.”

When Travis Hunter entered the league, he left no doubt about his intentions to remain a true two-way player on both offense and defense. However, that demanding workload may have come at a cost, as a knee injury abruptly ended his rookie campaign with the Jaguars.

Many analysts believe the heavy snap count played a role in the former Colorado Buffaloes standout’s injury. With the 2026 season approaching, questions surfaced about whether Jacksonville would scale back his role. Those questions have now been answered.

Jaguars unveil plans for Travis Hunter’s two-way role in 2026

Shortly after Hunter suffered the knee injury, head coach Liam Coen admitted it was too early to determine whether the rookie would continue playing both positions. Now, general manager James Gladstone has confirmed that the Jaguars still plan to use Hunter as both a wide receiver and a cornerback in 2026.

“Beyond that, in the role that he’ll play, we still expect him to play on both sides of the ball,” Gladstone said. “Obviously, you can take a peek at expiring contracts on our roster and which side of the ball has more. Obviously at this point, walking into the offseason, corner is a position where we have a few guys who are on expiring contracts. So, by default, you can expect there to be a higher emphasis on his placement.”

With a full offseason to manage his recovery and conditioning, Jacksonville believes it can better control Hunter’s workload to reduce the risk of future injuries. The organization remains confident that his versatility is a key reason they drafted him so highly.

Will Travis Hunter play more offense or defense?

During his time at Colorado, Hunter excelled on both sides of the ball, and his goal remains unchanged at the professional level. Still, the Jaguars appear to have a preferred role for him.

In his rookie season, Hunter logged over 300 offensive snaps compared to roughly 160 on defense. Those numbers suggest Jacksonville values him primarily as a wide receiver, while still utilizing him as a situational cornerback to provide depth and flexibility in the secondary.

Travis Hunter, who was unable to play for the Jaguars against the Buffalo Bills in the 2026 playoffs, remains one of the most important pieces of Jacksonville’s long-term plans. However, he is not the only offensive weapon whose future is now in question.

That player is Travis Etienne. With his contract officially expired and free agency approaching, the veteran running back has spoken about where he hopes to play in the 2026 NFL season.

Travis Etienne sends message to Jaguars ahead of free agency

The Jaguars enjoyed a strong 2025 NFL season. Although their run ended in the Wild Card round, the team showed clear signs of progress, giving fans hope that Jacksonville can build on that success moving forward.

Unfortunately, the roster could look very different next season, potentially putting those plans at risk. On offense, the Jaguars could lose a crucial teammate of both Travis Hunter and Trevor Lawrence.

Travis Etienne’s contract has now come to an end, making him one of the more intriguing running backs set to hit the free agency market. Despite the expected interest from teams around the league, Etienne made it clear that his preference is to remain in Jacksonville.

His comments send a strong message to the Jaguars’ front office: he wants to stay. In a post-game conference, Etienne said that it “would be crazy” if he had played his last game with the Jaguars in the loss against the Bills.

The Jaguars should prioritize re-signing Travis Etienne

According to Spotrac, Travis Etienne is projected to command a two-year, $13 million contract in free agency. Coming off a solid 2025 campaign, his production suggests he will be one of the more sought-after running backs available this offseason.

After missing his rookie season in 2021 due to a foot injury, Etienne has been remarkably productive. He has rushed for over 1,000 yards in three of his four active seasons and has totaled 32 touchdowns during his career.

Those numbers highlight just how valuable Etienne has been to the Jaguars’ offense. With Trevor Lawrence and Travis Hunter forming the core of the unit, bringing Etienne back could be a key move in keeping Jacksonville competitive in 2026 and beyond.

Trevor Lawrence entered as the quarterback with the best numbers in the entire NFL in the second half of the season and seemed ready to take the next big step with the Jaguars. All of this was thanks to an offense that changed after the trade for Jakobi Meyers.

Nevertheless, with Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs out of the playoffs, Josh Allen perhaps had the greatest opportunity of his career to compete for a championship. That was proven with an epic comeback to secure a 27–24 win in Jacksonville.

Jaguars out of the playoffs with loss to Bills

The Jaguars are out of the playoffs after losing by three points to the Bills. Trevor Lawrence had a chance to tie the game on the final drive but was intercepted. In addition, in a very unusual moment, Cam Little missed a field goal in the final seconds of the first half.

What’s next for Bills?

The Bills’ next game will be in the Divisional Round, although their opponent is yet to be determined. It could be the Denver Broncos, the Pittsburgh Steelers, or the Houston Texans. Allen will have to win on the road again.

“Watch the Packers. Watch the Bills. They lose this weekend, watch what happens next with one of those two teams. The one that ultimately hires John Harbaugh is going to be the one that fires its current coach. I can’t rule out the possibility if the Bills and Packers lose. I can’t rule out the possibility that they’ll both fire their coaches.”

After the Ravens surprisingly parted ways with Harbaugh, there is no doubt that he has become the most sought-after name on the coaching carousel. If the Bills have an opening, it would be a huge opportunity to pursue another Super Bowl, this time alongside Josh Allen.

Bills could fire head coach Sean McDermott

The Bills could fire Sean McDermott with an early playoff exit, as it would be seen as wasting Josh Allen’s prime. With John Harbaugh available, a change at the top would be viewed as an upgrade.

Florio mentioned that all the rumors surrounding Harbaugh are a factor that could add significant pressure on McDermott ahead of that dangerous road matchup against the Jaguars in the Wild Card round.

“If this is the play and if it all comes down to what the team does this weekend, that could be what happens next. And if I’m Matt LaFleur or Sean McDermott, I’m pissed that I got to worry about this now thanks to this news that’s been generated directly or indirectly by John Harbaugh.”

Despite the fact that Josh Allen put up very solid numbers with 3,668 yards, 25 touchdowns, and only 10 interceptions, turnovers began to pile up in the second half of the schedule and the defense failed to respond in clutch moments. That increased doubts about this team’s potential.

Now, with Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs out of the playoffs, this appears to be a major opportunity for Allen to finally win a championship. In addition, other stars like Joe Burrow and Lamar Jackson will also not be in the postseason. The first challenge in the Wild Card round will be very difficult against the Jaguars.

What happens if Bills lose today against Jaguars in NFL playoffs?

If the Bills lose to the Jaguars today in the playoffs, they will be officially eliminated. Then, as the No. 3 seed in the AFC, Trevor Lawrence and Jacksonville could face the New England Patriots, the Pittsburgh Steelers or the Houston Texans in the Divisional round. By the way, a loss could also jeopardize Sean McDermott’s future as head coach in Buffalo because John Harbaugh is available.

What happens if the Bills win over Jaguars in Wild Card round?

If the Bills get a win over the Jaguars in the Wild Card round, they will clinch a spot in the Divisional round. Then, as the No. 6 seed, they could face the Denver Broncos or the winner of the matchup between the Steelers and Texans. In either scenario, they would play on the road next week.

What happens if Bills and Jaguars tie today today in NFL playoffs?

If the Bills and the Jaguars tie today in the Wild Card round of the 2026 NFL playoffs, the game would go to overtime to determine a winner. Each team is now guaranteed at least one possession. The only exception is if the defense records a safety on the opening drive.

What happens if the Jaguars lose today against Bills in Wild Card round of 2026 playoffs?

If the Jacksonville Jaguars lose today against the Buffalo Bills, they will be officially eliminated despite a great season with a 13-4 record and as AFC South champions.

In the 2025 NFL Draft, the Jaguars traded up to secure the second overall pick, which they used to select Travis Hunter. His rare versatility as both a cornerback and wide receiver made him one of the most intriguing prospects in the class.

Unfortunately, the former Colorado standout suffered a knee injury in late October. He underwent surgery on November 11 to repair his LCL, though tests confirmed there was no damage to his ACL—a positive sign for his long-term recovery.

Will Travis Hunter return for the Super Bowl?

No, Travis Hunter is not expected to be ready even if the Jaguars advance to Super Bowl LX. The two-way star was given a six-month recovery timeline, which would place his return around late April.

According to reports, Hunter could be cleared in time for training camp in May. However, the injury has raised concerns among scouts, as it could force him to adjust his playing style moving forward.

Hunter has repeatedly stated that he intends to continue playing both cornerback and wide receiver throughout his career. Still, the physical demands of playing on both sides of the ball are significant, and that workload may have contributed to the knee injury he suffered this season.

The Jaguars are strong on offense

Despite Travis Hunter being sidelined, the Jaguars still boast a solid offense led by Trevor Lawrence. The quarterback has enjoyed an impressive season, consistently connecting with multiple weapons at his disposal.

Brian Thomas Jr. and Jakobi Meyers serve as the team’s primary wide receivers, with Parker Washington and Tim Patrick providing depth behind them. Tight end Brenton Strange has also been a reliable option for Lawrence, contributing not only as a pass catcher but also as an effective blocker.