The critics were starting to warm up to Travis Hunter after he had eight receptions for 101 yards and one touchdown on October 19. With an off week, half a season under his belt, it seemed Hunter was ready to hit stride on all cylinders and back up the hype that comes with being the second overall pick.
Ya, about that… well, it did not happen. Before he could even attempt an encore of his breakout game he suffered a knee injury on a non-contact defensive drill in practice on October 30. As he watched the Raiders game from the sidelines, the initial hope was he would still come back this season. But after further evaluation, surgery was deemed necessary to repair his LCL.
Therefore, the Jaguars announced the two-way player underwent surgery on his right knee Tuesday and will miss the remainder of his rookie campaign. He is out for the season.
Hunter Should Be Good To Go In 2026
The procedure was performed in Dallas by team doctor Kevin Kaplan. In a small silver lining, the team’s statement confirmed the LCL injury was isolated and there was no other damage to the knee. Hunter is expected to make a full recovery and return to football activities within six months, positioning him for a comeback in 2026.
Still, the news is a gut punch for the Jaguars and for fans who were happy to see the critics starting to walk back from their skepticism that Hunter could be an effective two-way player (wide receiver and cornerback) in the NFL.
2025 Season Ending Stats
The loss comes at a critical time for the 5-4 Jaguars, who just blew a 19-point lead against Houston and are fighting to stay in the thick of the playoff hunt. Now, they must navigate the rest of the season without one of their most electrifying playmakers.
In the seven games he played, Hunter was on the field for 67% of the offensive snaps and 36% of the defensive snaps, a testament to his unique role and elite conditioning.
Hunter’s 2025 Rookie Season by the Numbers
- Overall Draft Pick: No. 2
- Games Played: 7
- Receptions: 28
- Receiving Yards: 298
- Receiving Touchdowns: 1
- Total Tackles: 15
- Passes Defensed: 3
