Jaguars' Rookie Travis Hunter Plays Both Ways in Preseason Debut

Jacksonville Jaguars rookie Travis Hunter, a former Heisman Trophy winner, made his preseason debut playing both wide receiver and cornerback, showcasing a rare two-way role in modern NFL. Hunter logged around 19 snaps total in his first game, with slightly more time on offense than defense, catching two passes for nine yards but missing a tackle on defense. While the Jaguars have listed him as a starting wide receiver and backup cornerback, NFL insiders caution that his snap count will be managed carefully, likely around 40 snaps on offense and 25-30 on defense per game, to balance his workload and durability concerns. Coach Liam Coen expressed optimism about Hunter's performance, noting good offensive decisions but acknowledging the need to review defensive tape further. The challenge remains in adapting Hunter's college two-way success to the NFL's physical demands, especially given the intensity of playing both sides against veteran players. Overall, the Jaguars plan to use Hunter strategically on both sides of the ball, with his role and snap distribution evolving based on game plans and his physical readiness.