Travis Hunter injury update: Jaguars rookie undergoes season-ending knee surgery

Jacksonville Jaguars two-way star Travis Hunter underwent season-ending surgery, per NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport. It was reportedly an LCL repair. Rapoport reported Hunter is expected to return full football activities within six months.

Hunter suffered the injury while playing defense at a Jaguars practice in late October. The Jaguars placed Hunter on injured reserved on Oct. 31.

Hunter was the No. 2 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft this spring. In the Jaguars’ 35-7 loss to the Los Angeles Rams on Oct. 19—Hunter’s last outing before the injury—he recorded a career-high eight catches for 101 yards, while scoring his first NFL touchdown.

“Feel bad for the guy, for the kid, for our team, for everything, but he’s in good spirits right now. Minor setback for a major comeback. That’s just the way it’s got to be,” Jaguars head coach Liam Coen said in October. “It is definitely not ideal timing.

“… Not that any injuries are ever ideal timing, but got to believe the makeup, his general attitude towards life and how he handles dealing with specific situations—I have a lot of belief in Travis as a person, as a competitor, to come back better than ever.”

Hunter finishes his debut campaign with 28 catches for 298 yards and a touchdown in just seven games. Since losing Hunter to injury, the Jaguars are 1-1. Most recently, Jacksonville suffered a 36-29 loss to the Houston Texans on Sunday.

The Jaguars certainly could’ve used Hunter’s talents against the Texans. In the loss, Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence struggled to find a rhythm, completing just 13-of-his-23 pass attempts for 158 yards and a touchdown, while also throwing an interception. Earlier this season, Lawrence raved about playing with Hunter.

“He’s so special when he gets opportunities downfield or just catches the ball underneath,” Lawrence said. “He can make people miss [tackles] and turn five-yard passes into 25-yard gains because he’s so good with the ball in his hands. He has so much talent.”

Now, Hunter will work to return to the field as quickly as possible. The 2024 Heisman Trophy winner isn’t a complete stranger to injuries.

In the 2023 campaign, Travis Hunter missed three games for Colorado after suffering a lacerated liver against Colorado State. Hunter returned stronger than ever from the setback and made history the following season. Jaguars fans can only hope Hunter does the same at the NFL level.