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Travis Hunter stats: Jacksonville Jaguars rookie plays 48 snaps in debut. How many on defense?
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- Travis Hunter stats: Jacksonville Jaguars rookie plays 48 snaps in debut. How many on defense?
Travis Hunter had a modest NFL debut for the Jacksonville Jaguars in their 26-10 victory over the Carolina Panthers on Sept. 7 at EverBank Stadium.
But his output — a team-high six receptions for 33 yards in 44 offensive snaps — was a sign of big plays to come for the Jaguars' two-way rookie and first-round draft pick , especially since Hunter missed the last five practices and two preseason games with an upper-body injury.
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"I think that was Game 1," said Jaguars coach Liam Coen . "I think that was Week 1, where you miss 10 days or so, and there was a lot of different kind of coverage changes in the back end for us with some of their formations, adjustments. I think it will only continue to evolve and go more. I thought he played hard on offense. I thought he played fast. He had some good catches, ran the right route. I can only see it going and expanding from here."
Hunter caught two 10-yard passes on the Jaguars' first possession, both on second-and-long after penalties. He had four catches for 22 yards in the first half and added two more for 11 yards in the second half.
"I did my job ... that was the main focus, me doing my job," Hunter said. "I did what they asked me to do, and I know I could do more and I know I could do better."
Travis Hunter shows off new look
Hunter decided to celebrate his first NFL game by not only unveiling a pair of adidas Anthony Edwards 1 cleats but getting a haircut.
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He said it wasn't part of any rookie hazing.
"I chose to do this myself," he said. "It was just time. Time to let it go. New me, new person. Welcome to a new chapter in my life. Just chop it off."
He also played his first game in front of his grandmother, who drove up from Palm Beach County the morning of the game.
"It was great for me to be able to show my grandma," he said. "She was the first person to sign me up for football, so her seeing me on the big stage was an exciting moment for me."
Travis Hunter played sparingly on defense
Hunter's main contribution in his handful of defensive plays was covering Carolina's first-round pick, Tetairoa McMillan , long enough for Dawuane Smoot to get to Carolina quarterback Bryce Young for a sack in the third quarter. It was a big play at the time because the Panthers had a third-and-one at midfield after holding the Jaguars on their first possession.
Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Travis Hunter (12) is brought down during the second quarter of an NFL football game between the Carolina Panthers at Jacksonville Jaguars at EverBank Stadium Sunday September 7, 2025. [Doug Engle/Florida Times-Union]
Hunter was not on the field for any of the Jaguars' three turnovers so he had to watch the celebrations from afar. However, he's more than ready to contribute on that side of the field.
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"That's what we do in practice ... we do it every day in practice," he said. "Just fly around, everybody get to the ball, 11 guys to the ball. Tips and overthrows, we have to get those, and that's what we've been doing."
Hunter also didn't question his use on defense.
"I just leave that up to the coaches," he said. "I just go out there when they call my number and call my name. I just go out and do my job."
Travis Hunter snap count
How many snaps did Travis Hunter have on offense?
Hunter had 42 snaps on offense for the Jaguars. He started the game at wide receiver and made his first NFL catch on his fifth play, for a 10-yard gain.
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Hunter played in the slot on the left side most of the time, but also rotated to the right side and played outside receiver.
How many snaps did Travis Hunter have on defense?
Hunter had only six snaps on defense. He entered the game on that side of the ball for the first time late in the first quarter and gave up a 12-yard catch to McMillan, and assisted on the tackle.
This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Travis Hunter stats: Jaguars rookie leads team with six receptions
