Travis Hunter returned to the gridiron for the Jacksonville Jaguars after 318 days on the sidelines, rehabbing and working his way back from a mid-season LCL tear that cost him 10 games of his rookie campaign.
In his first game back, Jacksonville showcased its versatility, playing multiple secondary configurations. As a result, Hunter played just 29 snaps (57%) on defense and four snaps on offense. Hunter caught one pass for eight yards and carried the football once on an end-around for three yards.
While the 2025 second-overall pick produced little on offense Sunday, getting his feet wet was part of the mission in Week 1. Still, Hunter didn't think it took long to feel like himself again.
words still ringing
"Just me just getting on the football field, and just getting back comfortable with myself. It took me about a drive or two to realize I was playing football again," Hunter said in the locker room ahead of Week 2 at Denver.
During the team's 34-10 win over Cleveland, Hunter was targeted once and allowed a four-yard gain, according to Pro Football Reference. Hunter locked down his side of the ball, logging 21 coverage snaps, according to Pro Football Focus.
Travis Hunter's goals remain steady
![Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Travis Hunter (12) hauls in a pass during an NFL Jaguars practice at the Miller Electric Center, Tuesday September 2, 2026 in Jacksonville, Fla. [Doug Engle/Florida Times-Union]](https://www.gannett-cdn.com/authoring/authoring-images/2026/09/02/NFTU/91579392007-jaguars-practice-quinn-ewers-006.JPG)
There isn't much to it for Hunter.
"Just go out there and play football. Do what I do, and that's just be great on both sides of the ball," he said.
So far, so good for Hunter, Jaguars defensive coordinator Anthony Campanile said during the week when asked about Hunter's play.
"I thought he moved around really good. He didn't get a lot of ops, for sure, so that's usually a good thing at corner. But I thought overall he really did a good job and his eyes, his feet, all that stuff, looked good. Like you said, getting back, first game, I thought that was a great start for him," said Campanile.
Hunter will get another opportunity to perform this week against the Denver Broncos. While Hunter played two years at Colorado, he doesn't necessarily have any emotional ties to the area.
"I feel like I just did my job to be able to go to the next level and I'll just go back there and play," he said when asked about going back to Colorado and what the time there meant to him.
While Hunter is expected to get more opportunities on offense, he could earn reps on special teams as a punt returner. Hunter has no issue with doing what the team needs from him.
"If they need me, I'll go back there. If they don't, it's cool," said Hunter. Hunter gave a simple answer when asked why his skill set fits that of a punt returner.
"I'm special with [the ball in my hands]. I know what to do with it and how to protect it," he said.
Demetrius Harvey is the Jacksonville Jaguars reporter for the Florida Times-Union. You can follow him on X (formerly Twitter) at @Demetrius82 or on BlueskyatDemetrius.
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This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: What Travis Hunter's Week 1 return means for rest of Jaguars season
