Travis Hunter Sidelined for Season Following LCL Surgery
Travis Hunter’s inaugural NFL season has come to an unfortunate end. On Tuesday, the Jacksonville Jaguars confirmed that Hunter required season-ending surgery due to an LCL injury.
Details of the Injury and Surgery
Hunter, the second overall pick in the recent NFL draft, suffered a non-contact knee injury during practice in late October. Following this, he was placed on injured reserve, with initial hopes from the Jaguars that the injury would not sideline him for long.
However, after further assessments, surgery became necessary. The procedure was performed by team doctor Kevin Kaplan in Dallas. The Jaguars reported that the LCL injury was isolated, with no additional damage noted in Hunter’s knee.
Performance and Recovery Timeline
In the seven games he played this season, Hunter made a significant impact both offensively and defensively. He recorded:
- 28 receptions for 298 yards with 1 touchdown on offense.
- 15 total tackles and 3 passes defensed defensively.
During these games, he participated in 67% of the offensive snaps and 36% of the defensive snaps. Unfortunately, this injury means he will not return to the field until 2026, as he is expected to be fully recovered within six months.
Jaguars’ Future Outlook
This incident marks a challenging moment for the Jaguars as they reflect on their decision to trade up for Hunter in this year’s draft. The team’s management, led by General Manager James Gladstone and Head Coach Liam Coen, had high expectations for the promising rookie.
As the team looks forward, they remain hopeful for Hunter’s complete recovery and future contributions on the field.
