Jaguars looking to get two-way player Travis Hunter more involved on offense against Patriots

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (AP) — Two-way player Travis Hunter should see his most snaps on offense in more than a year when the Jacksonville Jaguars host New England on Sunday.

“We’re going to look at giving him some more this week,” Jaguars coach Liam Coen said Wednesday.

Hunter has played just 10 offensive snaps in two games this season, and he’s yet to be targeted beyond the line of scrimmage. The 2024 Heisman Trophy winner has one reception for 8 yards — it came on a tunnel screen — and has one carry for 3 yards.

He didn’t touch the ball in a 20-13 loss at Denver last Sunday. Raising more questions about Hunter’s usage, fellow receiver Brian Thomas Jr. dropped two passes against the Broncos, including a critical one in the fourth quarter.

Thomas ranked second in the NFL last season with 10 drops and often seemed to shy away from contact.

“Every game is a new opportunity to come out here and just play in the NFL, something I’ve been wanting to do since I was a kid,” Thomas said. “I’m just super excited to go out there and play again.

“I know what I need to do. ... I just got to come out here and do what I need to do.”

Thomas’ woes had Coen ready to make Hunter the team’s go-to receiver last October. Days later, Hunter tore a ligament in his right knee in practice and missed the rest of the season.

The Jaguars were cautious with his return. He watched organized team activities from afar and didn’t gain full clearance until the start of training camp.

Hunter hasn’t even played fully on defense through two weeks, on the field for 58% of the snaps while rotating with fellow cornerbacks Montaric Brown, Jourdan Lewis and Jarrian Jones.

“Coaches tell me what I got to do,” Hunter said. “I just follow the plan and follow the lead. ... My job is to go out there and play no matter when they put me out there. So that’s what I try to do.”

The Jaguars (1-1) could use help on offense. They scored three points in the second half against Denver and finished with 268 yards — the second fewest in Coen’s two seasons.

“Anytime you struggle, offensively specifically, you look at the totality of it all, and Travis is a big part of that,” Coen said. “We’re looking at continuing to find different ways to get him involved.”

It’s not just Hunter, either.

Veteran receiver Jakobi Meyers has three catches on three targets in two games, and tight end Brenton Strange has four receptions for 40 yards and a touchdown.

“We got to do a better job getting everybody involved, and that’s obviously me as a part of that and continuing to give guys opportunities,” quarterback Trevor Lawrence said. “The offense is going to run through everyone at some point. It’s not a one-man show.

“And I think everyone on our team knows that. … All the guys know that, that we need everybody and it’s going to be everyone’s time at some point.”

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