Jaguars Stick With Two-Way Plan for Travis Hunter Despite Injury Concerns

The Jacksonville Jaguars enter the 2026 season aiming to build on a successful campaign, with much of their attention centered on the development and health of two-way standout Travis Hunter. Despite missing time due to injury last season, Hunter remains a central figure in Jacksonville’s long-term plans as the team looks to maximize his unique skill set.

Hunter’s rare role as both a wide receiver and cornerback has made him one of the most closely watched young players in the league. His ability to contribute on both sides of the ball has sparked excitement within the organization, but also renewed discussion about how sustainable such usage is at the professional level.

Earlier in the offseason, reports suggested the Jaguars could scale back his offensive involvement and lean more heavily on him as a full-time cornerback. However, those internal discussions appear to have settled around maintaining his dual-role usage rather than narrowing his responsibilities.

As Hunter works his way back from injury, the Jaguars are balancing optimism about his versatility with caution about workload management, setting the stage for a closely monitored return in 2026.

1. Jaguars Stick With Dual-Role Vision

Head coach Liam Coen made clear that the team’s plan for Hunter has not changed since he was drafted, reaffirming Jacksonville’s commitment to using him on both offense and defense. The organization views his versatility as a foundational piece of its roster construction. Coen emphasized that the Jaguars still intend to give Hunter opportunities on both sides of the ball, consistent with how they envisioned his role coming out of the draft. That long-term vision remains intact despite injury interruptions. At the same time, Coen acknowledged that Hunter’s recovery process will influence how quickly and frequently he is deployed in live-game situations. The team plans to take a gradual approach as he progresses through rehabilitation. While the overarching strategy remains unchanged, Jacksonville is expected to remain flexible on a week-to-week basis, adjusting his workload based on health and conditioning.

2. Production Shows Early Impact In Limited Action

Before his injury shortened his season, Hunter demonstrated his impact in a limited sample size across seven games. As a receiver, he recorded 28 receptions on 45 targets for 298 yards and one touchdown, showing steady involvement in the passing game. Defensively, he contributed 15 tackles and three pass breakups, while allowing a 60 percent completion rate on passes thrown his way. Those numbers reflect both his active role and the learning curve of adjusting to NFL defensive assignments. The Jaguars used him in situational packages on both sides of the ball, highlighting his adaptability while managing his snap count. His production suggested flashes of high-level potential even within a restricted workload. Despite the injury setback, the team’s evaluation of his early performance has reinforced their belief that his dual-role usage can translate at the professional level.

3. Debate Over Longevity And Workload

Outside of Jacksonville, Hunter’s two-way usage has sparked debate about the long-term viability of playing both offense and defense in the NFL. Concerns have largely centered on durability and sustained performance over a full season. Former NFL star Charles Woodson weighed in on the discussion, noting that while occasional two-way usage may be possible, a full-time dual role would be physically demanding at the professional level. He suggested that attempting to replicate a college-style workload could significantly shorten a player’s career. Woodson emphasized that the speed and physicality of the NFL present a different challenge compared to college football, where players like Hunter previously thrived in hybrid roles. The adjustment, he noted, requires careful management. Even with those concerns, the Jaguars have maintained confidence in their approach, believing that structured usage and medical oversight can allow Hunter to remain effective on both sides of the ball without overextending him.