Jaguars place Travis Hunter on IR, out at least four games

Travis Hunter, the Jacksonville Jaguars rookie who split time as a wide receiver and cornerback, will miss at least four games after sustaining a noncontact knee injury in practice Thursday, coach Liam Coen said Friday. The team placed Hunter on injured reserve while medical staff continue to evaluate the severity of the injury and whether he can return later this season.

Hunter, the No. 2 overall pick in April’s draft and the 2024 Heisman Trophy winner from Colorado, had been on an upward trajectory after a breakout outing in Week 7 in London, when he caught eight passes for 101 yards and his first NFL touchdown. The Jaguars had planned to increase his offensive role following the team’s Week 8 bye, in part because teammate Brian Thomas Jr. had been dealing with a shoulder issue.

Coen described the club’s assessment as ongoing. “We’re currently assessing the injury just to determine the best course of action moving forward for Travis and the team,” he told reporters. He added that Hunter was “in good spirits” and called the setback “a minor setback for a major comeback.”

Through seven games, Hunter had 28 receptions for 298 yards and one touchdown while also contributing on...