JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — The Jacksonville Jaguars announced that rookie wide receiver/cornerback Travis Hunter will miss the rest of the season after undergoing surgery on his right knee Tuesday.
The procedure, performed in Dallas by Dr. Dan Cooper and Jaguars team physician Dr. Kevin Kaplan, repaired the lateral collateral ligament. No further damage was found in the knee, and Hunter is projected to resume full football activities within six months.
Hunter was placed on injured reserve October 31, a day after sustaining a non-contact knee injury while playing defense in practice. Initial uncertainty surrounded the injury’s severity and potential absence, though an MRI confirmed his ACL remained intact. Subsequent evaluations identified damage to the LCL.
His final game marked his strongest offensive outing as a professional: eight receptions for 104 yards and his first NFL touchdown in a 35-7 defeat to the Los Angeles Rams in London during Week 7. The 2024 Heisman Trophy winner recorded 28 catches for 298 yards and one score.
Defensively, he contributed 15 tackles and three pass deflections. Prior to the injury, he participated in 67% of offensive snaps and 36% of defensive snaps.
Hunter had been emerging as the Jaguars’ primary receiver, driven by his talent and explosiveness, especially as Brian Thomas Jr. struggled with five drops. Following injuries to Hunter, Thomas (ankle, Week 9), and Dyami Brown (shoulder), Jacksonville traded for wide receiver Jakobi Meyers from the Las Vegas Raiders at the November 4 deadline. Meyers logged 24 snaps and hauled in three passes for 41 yards in the Jaguars’ 36-29 loss at Houston last Sunday.
Jacksonville faces the Los Angeles Chargers at home this Sunday.
To select Hunter second overall, the Jaguars sent Cleveland four draft picks—including a 2026 first-rounder—moving up three spots. They surrendered the No. 5 overall pick, a 2025 second-rounder, and a 2025 fourth-rounder, while receiving 2025 fourth- and sixth-round selections in return.
