Why is Travis Hunter not playing today vs Bills? Here's when Jaguars star could return

Travis Hunter was ruled out for the remainder of the 2025 NFL season, including the playoffs, after suffering a season-ending knee injury.

Updated on: Jan 12, 2026 12:56 AM IST

Share via

Copy link

Jacksonville Jaguars rookie standout Travis Hunter will not play in Sunday’s AFC Wild Card playoff game against the Buffalo Bills due to injury.

Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Travis Hunter has been ruled out for the remainder of the 2025 NFL season. (AP)

What happened to Travis Hunter?

Hunter was ruled out for the remainder of the 2025 NFL season, including the playoffs, after suffering a season-ending knee injury. The rookie tore the lateral collateral ligament (LCL) in his right knee during a non-contact defensive practice drill on October 30, 2025. He was placed on injured reserve shortly afterward and underwent successful surgery in early November to repair the isolated LCL tear.

When could he return?

Hunter’s recovery timeline is approximately six months following surgery, which puts his return to full football activities around May 2026. The expectation is that he will be ready for training camp and the start of the 2026 season. As a result, he will miss Sunday’s Wild Card matchup against Buffalo and any additional playoff games should the Jaguars advance.

"Sources: Jaguars star CB/WR Travis Hunter underwent season-ending knee surgery, with eyes set on 2026. It was an LCL repair. He’s expected to return within 6 months to full football activities," NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported in November.

Also Read: Josh Allen injury update: Bills get positive news after concussion scare vs Jaguars

Jakobi Meyers signed

The Jacksonville Jaguars acquired wide receiver Jakobi Meyers in a trade from the Las Vegas Raiders, shortly after Hunter suffered the season-ending knee injury.

Meyers provided a significant boost to Jacksonville’s receiving corps since arriving on Nov. 4. Jaguars eventually signed him to a long-term extension on December 19, roughly six weeks after acquiring him.

While the team did not disclose full contract details, multiple media reports indicate Meyers, who was set to become a free agent at the end of the season, agreed to a three-year, $60 million deal with $40 million guaranteed, Reuters reported.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Vaishnavi Vaidyanathan
Vaishnavi Vaidyanathan leads the US Desk at Hindustan Times, where she writes, strategises coverage, and ensures quality across all beats. With eight years of experience covering US news for leading publications, she has reported extensively on politics, entertainment, and sports. Vaishnavi holds a graduate degree in English, Journalism, and Psychology, and completed her PG Diploma in Broadcast Journalism from the Manorama School of Communication, where she was awarded the prestigious Mammen Mappillai Award for Best Outgoing Student. She began her career at the International Business Times (US Edition), covering US breaking news, politics, and entertainment. She later joined Opoyi, reporting across all beats, including US sports and trending stories. Prior to Hindustan Times, she served as World Lead at Times Now News, covering comprehensive world news and events. Vaishnavi has expertise in politics, entertainment, and breaking news, and enjoys tackling stories across a wide range of topics. Beyond the newsroom, she is an avid traveller, a foodie who loves exploring new restaurants, and a pop culture enthusiast who enjoys watching latest shows and films. She also enjoys engaging in debates and discussions on Reddit.Read More

Stay updated with US News covering politics, crime, weather, local events, and sports highlights. Get the latest on Donald Trump and American politics along with Horoscope 2026.