Jaguars' Travis Hunter Poised for Breakout Season After Injury Setback

Offensive coordinator Liam Coen details plans to maximize Hunter's versatile skillset in 2026

Feb. 7, 2026 at 8:47am

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Jacksonville Jaguars offensive coordinator Liam Coen recently discussed the team's plans for second-year player Travis Hunter, who missed the second half of his rookie season due to a knee injury. Despite the setback, Coen expressed optimism about Hunter's ability to contribute on both offense and defense in 2026, highlighting the young player's exceptional conditioning and natural playmaking abilities.

Why it matters

Hunter was a highly touted two-way player coming out of college, and the Jaguars are eager to unlock his full potential after a promising start to his NFL career. His versatility and athleticism could be a key factor in the team's efforts to improve upon their 2025 campaign and make a push for the playoffs.

The details

Before his injury, Hunter had emerged as a threat in the Jaguars' passing game, eclipsing 100 receiving yards in his final game before the setback. Coen acknowledged that the injury forced the team to adjust, but believes it also provided valuable experience for the rest of the offense. Now, the focus is on determining the best way to utilize Hunter's skills, whether that's on offense, defense, or a combination of both.

  • Hunter's rookie season ended early due to a knee injury he sustained in practice prior to the Jaguars' Week 9 matchup with Las Vegas.
  • In Hunter's final game before the injury, he eclipsed the 100-yard receiving mark against the LA Rams.

The players

Travis Hunter

A second-year player for the Jacksonville Jaguars who is poised to take on a larger role in 2026 after missing the second half of his rookie season due to a knee injury.

Liam Coen

The offensive coordinator for the Jacksonville Jaguars, who recently discussed the team's plans for Travis Hunter in the upcoming season.

James Gladstone

The general manager of the Jacksonville Jaguars, who stated during his end-of-season press conference that the team still intends to have Hunter playing both ways this season.

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What they’re saying

“I do think the best thing that could have happened was like, all right, not that he got hurt, but we got hurt, and we still, we were able to have success. So now we get the privilege of going -- throughout this, he's still rehabbing, going through a whole process of rehab, getting back, but now we can go say, 'Okay, where is this going to truly help us go take the next step?' Like, what's going to actually help us get over the hump, from time allotment for him, practice schedule, playing on Sundays?”

— Liam Coen, Offensive Coordinator

“I think he's absolutely going to be able to. I do. I mean, the guy has the craziest conditioning of any athlete I've ever been around. He doesn't get tired. He doesn't sweat. It's kind of crazy.”

— Liam Coen, Offensive Coordinator

What’s next

The Jaguars will continue to work through what Hunter's workload from an offensive and defensive standpoint will look like in the 2026 season, as they aim to maximize his versatile skillset and help the team take the next step.

The takeaway

Despite the injury setback, the Jaguars remain committed to utilizing Travis Hunter's unique abilities on both offense and defense, as they believe his exceptional athleticism and playmaking skills can be a key factor in their pursuit of a playoff berth in 2026.