The Jacksonville Jaguars have decided to hold rookie receiver and cornerback Travis Hunter out of their preseason finale against the Miami Dolphins on August 26, 2023. This decision comes after Hunter missed several practices due to an upper body injury sustained during a scrimmage on August 14. Head coach Liam Coen emphasized the importance of prioritizing Hunter’s health as the team prepares for the regular season.
During a joint practice session with the Dolphins, Coen explained that he considered allowing Hunter to participate but ultimately opted to prevent any risk of aggravating the injury. “It was more just do we want him now or potentially not playing against Carolina in Week 1,” Coen stated, reflecting on the long-term strategy for the team. The Jaguars will face the Carolina Panthers in their regular season opener, making Hunter’s availability crucial.
Hunter’s injury has affected his participation over the last few weeks. He missed the Jaguars’ second preseason game against the New Orleans Saints and was unable to practice on the day following his injury. While he resumed individual drills earlier this week, Coen confirmed that none of the team’s starters would take the field in the upcoming preseason finale at Hard Rock Stadium.
The cautious approach extends to cornerback Tyson Campbell, who also sat out the practice due to an upper body injury. Coen’s strategy appears focused on ensuring that key players are fully healthy for the start of the regular season rather than risking further injuries in preseason games.
The Jaguars, who have high expectations for the upcoming season, are taking necessary precautions to secure the health of their roster. With the regular season just around the corner, the team aims to build momentum while ensuring that critical players like Hunter are ready for action when it counts.
