{"id":227701,"date":"2026-04-11T16:05:18","date_gmt":"2026-04-11T16:05:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/227701\/"},"modified":"2026-04-11T16:05:18","modified_gmt":"2026-04-11T16:05:18","slug":"jaguars-make-brutal-decision-on-two-way-superstar-travis-hunter-after-injury-plagued-rookie-season","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/227701\/","title":{"rendered":"Jaguars make brutal decision on two-way superstar Travis Hunter after injury-plagued rookie season"},"content":{"rendered":"

By ALEX RASKIN, US SPORTS NEWS EDITOR<\/a> <\/p>\n

Published: 10:45 EDT, 10 April 2026 | Updated: 10:48 EDT, 10 April 2026 <\/p>\n

The Jacksonville Jaguars<\/a> will use two-way star Travis Hunter as a full-time cornerback and part-time receiver in 2026, NFL Network\u2019s Ian Rapoport has reported<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Hunter, the second pick of the 2025 NFL Draft out of Colorado, had a disappointing rookie season in Jacksonville after arriving with big expectations on both sides of the football. Now, according to Rapoport, the team views him as more of a defender than an offensive weapon.\u00a0<\/p>\n

The 22-year-old hurt his knee during an October practice and ultimately required season-ending LCL surgery. He finished his rookie campaign with just 28 catches for 298 yards and one touchdown to go with three passes defended and 15 tackles on defense.<\/p>\n

Rapoport did say Hunter is expected to be a full participant by the time training camp rolls around in late July, but that won\u2019t be the case during offseason team activities (OTAs) this spring.<\/p>\n

The trade for Hunter was costly for the Jaguars, who surrendered two first-round picks to the Cleveland Browns<\/a> as well as second-, fourth- and sixth-round selections for the right to draft the Heisman Trophy winner.<\/p>\n

As a result, the Jaguars\u2019 first-round pick in this month\u2019s draft now belongs to the Browns, who also have the No. 6 selection by virtue of their own 5-12 record in 2025.<\/p>\n

\"The <\/p>\n

The Jacksonville Jaguars will primarily use two-way star Travis Hunter as a full-time cornerback and part-time receiver in 2026, NFL Network\u2019s Ian Rapoport has reported<\/p>\n

\"The <\/p>\n

The trade for Hunter was costly for the Jaguars, who surrendered two first-round picks to the Browns as well as second-, fourth- and sixth-round selections to move up in the draft\u00a0<\/p>\n

Last season wasn’t all bad for Hunter.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

In addition to being drafted second overall and signing a $46 million contract, Hunter also married his long-time girlfriend Leanna Lenee at a ceremony in Athens, Tennessee on May 24.<\/p>\n

Hunter\u2019s shift to defense was only possible thanks to the Jaguars\u2019 depth at receiver.<\/p>\n

Brian Thomas Jr. and Parker Washington both return for Jacksonville after recording a combined 106 catches in 2025, while midseason acquisition Jakobi Myers is coming off his own 75-catch season as Jacksonville reached the playoffs.<\/p>\n

The 2026 campaign will be the Jags\u2019 last in Jacksonville until 2028 due to some stadium remodeling. The team will play 10 games in Orlando in 2027 before the $1.4 billion renovations are completed.<\/p>\n

Colorado<\/a>Jacksonville Jaguars<\/a><\/p>\n

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