Travis Hunter caught a touchdown pass and intercepted C.J. Stroud on the next drive last Sunday. No NFL player had done both in the same game since 2002. “I’ve been doing this stuff since I was a baby,” Hunter said.
Hunter’s snap count tally ended with 62 defensive snaps and nine offensive snaps. His nine offensive snaps marked a season-high and Hunter made the most of those snaps.
Hunter brought in four receptions for 59 yards and a touchdown in his limited availability. The real story worth tracking on offense is that Brian Thomas Jr. didn’t log a second half snap after logging two more drops.
Thomas Jr.’s play has opened the door for Hunter to make more of an impact on the offensive side of the ball. Hunter played in just 13% of Jacksonville’s offense plays, but still was the team’s third-leading receiver.
On defense, Hunter snapped his 100% defensive play share, but still played in 62 of 63 defensive snaps. It wasn’t his cleanest game as he committed another pass interference penalty that allowed Houston to score at the end of the half, the second straight week he’s committed such an infraction.
However, aside from the pass interference he held Nico Collins in check, snapping his streak of 100+ yard games against the Jaguars. Hunter also had a key pick late in the fourth quarter to give the offense a chance to take the lead.
Though Jacksonville lost the game, this was undoubtedly Hunter’s best two-way game as a pro. His impact was tangible on both sides of the ball, and his after the catch impact was made very clear at the end of the third quarter when he brought in a five-yard reception that he turned into a 26-yard gain.
Thomas Jr. has had his name circulating in trade talks which would inevitably lead to a bigger; more consistent role for Hunter on the offensive side of the ball. Especially since he has stamped himself as the teams best cornerback.
Moving forward, Hunter and the Jaguars will enjoy the weakest remaining strength of schedule among all teams in the league. Their favorable 4-2 start put them in position to make playoffs for the second consecutive year, something the franchise hasn’t done since 1999.
The verdict, six weeks in: the two-way experiment produced its best game in 24 years on Sunday. Hunter, in just nine snaps, produced on offense in a big way.
Hunter’s role will be expected to build as the Jaguars return to play Nov. 1 against the division-rival Indianapolis Colts. From now until the trade deadline, Jacksonville’s decision on what to do with Thomas Jr. will likely play a big role in Hunter’s role on offense.
2025 (7 games) — 324 offense, 162 defense (33% defense)
Week 1 vs. CLE — 4 offense, 29 defense (88% defense)
Week 2 at DEN — 7 offense, 37 defense (84% defense)
Week 3 vs. NE — 5 offense, 45 defense (90% defense)
Week 4 at CIN — 0 offense, 76 defense (100% defense)
Week 5 vs. PHI — 6 offense, 62 defense (91% defense)
Week 6 vs. HOU — 9 offense, 62 defense (87% defense)
Season — 31 offense, 311 defense (91% defense)
Hunting Snaps runs every week. The question it tracks: is the two-way experiment alive, or is Travis Hunter becoming a cornerback with an occasional offensive package?
Snap counts found via the NFL gamebook and Pro Football Reference.
