Travis Hunter had to watch a good portion of Jacksonville's loss to the Denver Broncos from the sideline, leading many to question why he wasn't on the field more often.
It's hard, and a bit unfair, to question the decisions made by an NFL that just had a nine-game winning streak end.
But, what are the Jacksonville Jaguars doing with Travis Hunter?
In Sunday's loss to the Denver Broncos, Jacksonville's first in its last 10 regular-season games, Hunter wasn't on the field as much as one would expect.
Hunter entered the NFL as a special talent, looking to continue playing both wide receiver and cornerback full-time.
In his rookie season last year, Hunter was pretty much a full-time WR but only played at CB occasionally. This season, the Jaguars decided Hunter's primary position would be CB, but insisted he would still be played at WR.
Hunter has been adamant that he wants to be a full-time wide receiver and a full-time cornerback.
On Sunday against the Broncos, he was neither.
Hunter played only 37 snaps on defense (60%) and only seven on offense (11.7%). It was a shockingly low number for one of the Jaguars' most talented players.
In a close game that saw Jacksonville blow a 13-3 lead and lose 20-13, it is impossible not to wonder if the outcome may have been different if Hunter had been on the field more.
The Hunters Have Different Perspectives
Hunter's lack of playing time has been a hot topic since the game finished. Many people questioned why the Jaguars would leave one of their best and most important players on the sideline so often in a close game against a very good opponent.
Asked about not receiving more snaps, Hunter took the high road, saying it was part of the plan and he just follows their lead. Then he was asked whether coming in and out of the game makes it difficult to get into a rhythm. Hunter didn't take the bait and didn't say anything critical of his coaches.
"“My job is to go out there and play, no matter when they put me out there.”
Mrs. Hunter, on the other hand, had a very different perspective.
Hunter's wife, Leanna Lenne, posted a tweet to her Instagram story that asked, "What's the point of having a two-way player and you're not using him?"
All things considered, that's a good question.
Final Thoughts
Coming into Sunday's game at Denver, the Jaguars had won nine straight regular-season games. The first eight came without Hunter, who was already out for the season last year when the streak began.
Did the winning streak somehow cause Jacksonville's coaching staff to forget how talented and important Hunter is?
Not likely. Odds are they are just trying to manage his workload as he works his way back from his knee injury.
That said, a little more of Hunter against the Broncos could have gone a long way. If he is healthy, Hunter should be on the field.
If he is to reach his potential as an All-Pro CB, he can't be on the sideline for 40% of the snaps. He also needs enough snaps on offense to be able to make an impact.
Otherwise, what's the point of having a two-way player?
