The Jacksonville Jaguars announced on October 31 that wide receiver Travis Hunter will miss the remainder of the season after undergoing surgery on his right knee. The nature of the injury, an apparent noncontact injury sustained during practice, had many fearing this was a serious one. Shifts in weather meant Hunter’s season came to an unexpected quick end. This came just one day after he put together his best offensive showing as a pro.
Before his injury, Hunter was having a tremendous impact on the Jaguars’ offense. He started the season playing 67% of the team’s offensive snaps and 36% of the defensive snaps. His 28 receptions for 298 yards and a touchdown proved he was one of the most dangerous weapons on an offense that’s led the Aztecs to an undefeated start. In his most recent game versus the Los Angeles Rams in London, he had a breakout performance, catching eight passes for 104 yards and showing off his potential. He scored his first NFL touchdown!
Once the first MRI confirmed Hunter’s anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) was still intact, the medical team went into action mode. They wanted to get a complete picture of his injury. On Halloween, it was announced that he would need surgery to repair the lateral collateral ligament (LCL). The doctor who performed it was Dr. Dan Cooper and Dr. Kevin Kaplan in Dallas.
Despite this disappointment, the outlook remains hopeful for Hunter’s continued recovery. Surgeons reported that there was no further damage discovered in surgery. He is projected to return to full football activities in under six months. This new, updated timeline gives reason to be hopeful that Hunter can be back in action for the 2024 season.
To compensate for Hunter’s absence, the Jaguars have been busy reshaping the strategies to their roster. With Hunter and other starting receivers Brian Thomas Jr. and Dyami Brown out, the team took a risk. They traded for Jakobi Meyers from the Las Vegas Raiders on the trade deadline, November 4. It’s a positive step in shoring up their receiving corps as they charge through the rest of this season.
Travis Hunter, the 2024 Heisman Trophy winner, was poised to take over as the team’s No. Sadly, a season-ending injury derailed the young man’s remarkable ascent. He was one of the most impactful players on offense and defense. This helped provide his versatility as a player, which featured 15 tackles and three pass breakups.
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