Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Travis Hunter (12) smiles at photographers as he warms up during practice at the team’s NFL football training camp, Monday, July 28, 2025, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)
Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence signs autographs for some young fans after a practice at the team’s NFL football training camp, Monday, July 28, 2025, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)
Jacksonville Jaguars defensive back Travis Hunter, left, performs a drill during practice at the team’s NFL football training camp, Sunday, July 27, 2025, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)
Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Travis Hunter (12) runs through a drill during practice at the team’s NFL football training camp, Wednesday, July 23, 2025, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)
Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence throws during practice at the team’s NFL football training camp, Monday, July 28, 2025, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)
Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Travis Hunter (12) smiles at photographers as he warms up during practice at the team’s NFL football training camp, Monday, July 28, 2025, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (AP) — Heisman Trophy winner Travis Hunter will make his professional debut playing both sides of the ball.
Jacksonville Jaguars coach Liam Coen said Thursday that Hunter and most of the team’s other starters will play in their preseason opener against Pittsburgh on Saturday night.
“Everybody’s going to play in this game,†Coen said. “A lot of the guys want to play. Two new systems on both sides of the ball. ... You can do whatever you want, but everything leans that way in probably being the best thing for our team right now.”
ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW
The Steelers have not announced whether they will play any starters. Coen said he planned to connect with Pittsburgh coach Mike Tomlin later Thursday to share his plan.
Coen said quarterback Trevor Lawrence, center Robert Hainsey and others expressed a desire to be on the field in at least the first preseason game. Lawrence in early December; he soon thereafter.
“I’ll be excited to get back out there,†Lawrence said. “It’s been a while, so anytime you can play — even preseason — it means something to get on that field.â€
Lawrence is learning his third offensive system in five NFL seasons and has two new receivers — including Hunter — as well as two new offensive line starters. The Jaguars even have several new faces on defense, too.
“All of that is kind of what points to (playing),” Coen said. “Look, if we had three (joint practices) and two days of work (within) each of those joints, we probably wouldn’t be playing (starters). That’s just kind of where we’re at. We’ve got to go and probably take advantage of these opportunities.”
All eyes will be on Lawrence and Hunter, who is trying to become the most diverse player in NFL history. The former Colorado star and the second overall pick in the NFL draft is penciled in as a starting slot receiver and a backup cornerback in Jacksonville.
ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW
ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW
Hunter , the latest expansion of his dual role.
“He wants to prove people wrong,” fellow cornerback Jourdan Lewis said. “I feel like that’s the type of mindset you have to have to go and be awesome and a competitor out here. Of course he has all the skillsets, but I think it’s the mental aspect of it that makes him different.
“He’s going to show you. He’s going to try to do it tenfold and put his best foot forward doing both things, and whatever they ask him to do, he’s going to do it at full speed. Like I said, his mental fortitude for it is unmatched.â€
To join the conversation set a first and last name in your user profile.
Sign in or register for free to join the Conversation