Jaguars' Travis Hunter update: Progressing well after knee surgery

PHOENIX — Jacksonville Jaguars two-way standout Travis Hunter is “very well ahead” of schedule in his rehabilitation from right knee surgery performed on Nov. 11, head coach Liam Coen confirmed Tuesday during a break in the NFL’s Annual Meeting at the Arizona Biltmore.

Hunter, who sustained a lateral collateral ligament injury in practice on Oct. 30, missed the remainder of the 2024 season after the setback. Coen told local reporters that while no firm timeline has been set for Hunter’s return to on-field work, the early returns have encouraged the team’s medical staff.

“I don’t know his timetable-to-return, but he’s very well ahead of where he’s supposed to be,” Coen said. “I know the doctors and athletic trainers feel really good about Hunter’s recovery.”

The second overall pick in last April’s draft, Hunter was acquired after Jacksonville traded a package that included its 2025 first-round selection to the Cleveland Browns. In seven appearances he logged 324 offensive snaps, securing 28 receptions for 298 yards and one touchdown, while also recording 15 tackles and three pass break-ups across 162 defensive snaps.

With veteran cornerback Buster Brown re-signed and Greg Newsome departing for a one-year deal with the New York Giants, general manager James Gladstone indicated after the season that roster needs will determine how Hunter is deployed. Coen said in-depth conversations about Hunter’s 2025 role have not yet taken place.

“We haven’t really had a ton of those conversations,” Coen explained. “It’s more so just working through the rehab process. I think it’s kind of an unspoken understanding of knowing that there are some depth things at cornerback that he can come in and help us. But the focus of the talks have just been about the day-to-day and, ‘How are you feeling today? How are you doing?’ and getting to see him smiling and moving around again in the facility.”

Coen added that the club may adjust how it manages Hunter’s practice workload once he is cleared. Rather than concentrating on one phase of the game per session, the staff could alternate his responsibilities within the same practice period, mirroring the in-season approach used in 2024.

Organized team activities and mandatory mini-camp are scheduled for May and June, but Coen stopped short of predicting whether Hunter will receive full medical clearance by then.

“I cannot say for certain,” he said, “but he’s very well ahead of schedule.”