Jaguars to play Travis Hunter on offense and defense in NFL debut
Jacksonville will use the rookie as an every-down receiver while limiting him to situational snaps at cornerback, coach Liam Coen and reports say
Travis Hunter will play on both sides of the ball when the Jacksonville Jaguars open their season Sunday against the Carolina Panthers, with the team planning to use him as an every-down receiver and in situational defensive roles, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported.
Jaguars coach Liam Coen declined to disclose a full plan Friday but acknowledged the team was still finalizing details. "We're going to have to figure it out," Coen said. "We're going to have to all be flexible. We'll come up with that plan over the next 24 hours in terms like, alright, what are the exact maybe numbers we want to hit on both sides or usage?"
Hunter, the second overall pick in this year's draft, was a two-way standout at Colorado and is one of the most closely watched rookies in the NFL. Jacksonville traded multiple picks to move up and select him, sending the No. 5 overall pick, second- and fourth-round selections and the team's 2026 first-rounder to complete the deal.
In training camp and preseason, Hunter saw extensive work in the slot in three-receiver sets alongside Brian Thomas Jr. and Dyami Brown. On defense, the Jaguars often deployed him as an outside cornerback in nickel packages while veteran Jourdan Lewis slid inside to cover slot receivers.
The club's plan to feature Hunter more prominently on offense, while limiting his defensive snaps to specific situations, represents a compromise between maximizing his offensive talent and preserving him on defense. Schefter's reporting said Hunter will be an every-down presence at receiver but restricted to situational duties at cornerback.
Panthers coach Dave Canales said this week he was still preparing for multiple possibilities. "I don´t know what they´re going to do with him," Canales said. "Is he going to return punts for them?"
The decision to use Hunter on both sides follows intense public debate over how to deploy a player who won college accolades at wide receiver and cornerback. The Jaguars' staff has emphasized flexibility and game-planning as they integrate the rookie into regular-season rotations.
Hunter's arrival in Jacksonville comes amid considerable personal milestones. He married Leanna Lenee this year and the couple recently announced the birth of their first child in a YouTube video that Hunter posted. In the video, Lenee shows a positive pregnancy test and later footage of the couple at the hospital; Hunter captioned the announcement "Dear Son. We love you. Love, Mom and Dad." The family did not disclose the child's name or weight.
Jacksonville's utilization of Hunter will be closely watched around the league as coaches and analysts assess whether a modern NFL team can sustain a two-way role at the professional level. For this week, the Jaguars have settled on a clear offensive role for the rookie and a limited, situational role on defense as they prepare for Carolina's visit.