Jacksonville Jaguars cornerback Travis Hunter has opened his second NFL season in a limited two-way role, but the club views his snap count as a planned part of its defensive approach rather than a sign of concern. The 2025 No. 2 overall selection has started each of Jacksonville’s first two games, yet he has played 57.4% of the defense’s snaps and only 11 plays on offense ahead of Sunday’s home matchup with the New England Patriots.
Jaguars maintaining planned cornerback rotation
Hunter has logged 62 defensive snaps while sharing outside-corner responsibilities with Montaric Brown and Jarrian Jones. Jacksonville has used two members of that three-man group on every drive, with Brown receiving the largest workload at 85 snaps, or 78.7% of the defensive total. Jones has played 72 snaps, representing 66.7%.
Coach Liam Coen said the Jaguars used a similar rotation last year before Hunter’s season was interrupted by injury. The coaching staff sets the plan before kickoff and makes sure every member of the secondary understands his expected role.
Defensive coordinator Anthony Campanile said the arrangement reflects the Jaguars’ confidence in the full group, particularly after Brown and Jones impressed through offseason work and training camp. Brown signed a three-year, $31.8 million extension in the spring.
- Brown has made six tackles, most among the three corners.
- Hunter has recorded five tackles and one pass breakup.
- Jones has one tackle and one pass breakup.
- As the nearest defender, Jones has allowed a 37.5% completion rate, while Brown has permitted 66.7% and Hunter 75%.
Campanile said the central goal is to keep the corners fresh while taking advantage of multiple players the staff believes can communicate and make plays within the system.
Limited offensive work could change against New England
The more unexpected part of Hunter’s early usage has come on offense. He played four offensive snaps against Cleveland and seven in last Sunday’s 20-13 loss to Denver. His two offensive touches both came in the opener: an 8-yard reception and a 3-yard rushing attempt.
That is a sharp contrast from last season, when Hunter played 67% of Jacksonville’s offensive snaps over seven games before a left-knee LCL injury ended his year. He finished that stretch with 28 catches for 298 yards and one touchdown.
Coen said Jacksonville is examining ways to bring Hunter into the offensive plan more often as it tries to correct its early struggles. He indicated Hunter could see added work against the Patriots, with kickoff scheduled for 1 p.m. ET on CBS.
Hunter’s low target volume is part of a broader distribution issue for the Jaguars’ passing game. Parker Washington leads the team with 18 targets, followed by Brian Thomas Jr. with 12. Tight end Brenton Strange has five targets, while receiver Jakobi Meyers has three.
Quarterback Trevor Lawrence said the offense must find more opportunities for Strange and Meyers as well. He stressed that the unit cannot depend on one player, saying the offense must eventually flow through everyone involved.
Hunter accepts role after injury recovery
Hunter said he is following the instructions given by the coaching staff and is prepared to contribute whenever he is sent onto the field. He has played only nine NFL games and believes his comfort level has improved from his rookie season.
Coen said Hunter’s reduced workload is partly connected to the time missed following the knee injury suffered during Jacksonville’s bye week last season. Hunter was not cleared for full participation until late July, when training camp was already underway.
Although Hunter spent extensive time studying in the team’s virtual meeting environment during rehabilitation, Coen said that work could not completely replace live repetitions. The missed practices affected the timing and chemistry built with Lawrence through throwing sessions and on-field work.
Hunter said he feels faster, has a better understanding of the game than he did a year ago and senses increasing trust from teammates each week. For now, his attention is on continuing that progress while Jacksonville prepares for New England.
