Analyze Travis Hunter's matchup for week 10
Travis Hunter has been placed on injured reserve after a knee injury in practice and will miss at least the next four games, making him undraftable in redraft formats for the remainder of 2025.
Hunter’s explosive Week 7 breakout (8-101-1 on 14 targets) had him trending toward every-week WR2 status, but a practice knee injury landed him on IR and ended his rookie campaign prematurely. The Jaguars will turn to Parker Washington, Dyami Brown, and a hopefully-healthy Brian Thomas Jr. to fill the void left by the two-way phenom.
Ascending pre-injury: his offensive snap share jumped from 53% in Week 4 to 87% in Week 7, culminating in career-best marks in targets, receptions, and receiving yards before the knee issue struck.
Hunter’s absence is a crushing blow to both the Jaguars and fantasy managers who stashed the rookie hoping for a league-winning second-half surge. The front office will protect their long-term investment by keeping him shelved through at least Week 13, and even that timeline feels optimistic given his unprecedented two-way workload. From a real-football standpoint, losing Hunter strips Jacksonville of its most dynamic weapon; the offense must now rely on an unproven Washington and an injury-plagued Thomas to stretch the field, inviting stacked boxes for Travis Etienne and cratering the passing ceiling for Trevor Lawrence.
Fantasy-wise, this is the nightmare scenario for anyone who used a mid-round pick on the rookie. His Week 7 explosion teased weekly 8-10 target upside, but the subsequent IR designation renders him dead weight on redraft rosters during the pivotal Weeks 10-14 playoff push. Dynasty managers can breathe easier—Hunter’s generational athletic profile and versatility remain intact for 2026 and beyond—but redraft players cannot afford to burn a bench spot for a player who may not return until fantasy championships are already decided. The injury also underscores the volatility of rookies with limited NFL snaps and the heightened risk tied to hybrid usage that subjects the body to 90-plus offensive snaps plus special-teams duties.
Replace Hunter immediately. Add whichever Jag receiver is healthiest (likely Thomas if his ankle cooperates) or pivot to high-upside bench stashes like Jalen Nailor, Trey Palmer, or even a second tight end if your league uses a flex. Use the freed-up roster spot to stream defenses, handcuff running backs, or chase the next breakout rather than clinging to the hope of a late-season cameo. Hunter’s long-term value remains sky-high, but the 2025 fantasy ship has sailed—cut ties and maximize every active spot for the stretch run.