![Jacksonville Jaguars cornerback Jarrian Jones (22) runs during an NFL training camp session at the Miller Electric Center, Wednesday, Aug. 6, 2025, in Jacksonville, Fla. [Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Union]](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_crop,x_0,y_0,w_6000,h_3375/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/images/ImagnImages/mmsport/55/01k54qsm0rqy49z1n3ps.jpg "Jacksonville Jaguars cornerback Jarrian Jones (22) runs during an NFL training camp session at the Miller Electric Center, Wednesday, Aug. 6, 2025, in Jacksonville, Fla. [Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Union]")
One of the biggest storylines surrounding the Jacksonville Jaguars in the season opener is that two-way star Travis Hunter lined up at corner and receiver but only logged six snaps on defense. Liam Coen cited his injury-related absence in the preseason as the reason, pointing out that the reigning Heisman Trophy winner wasn't around for the Week 1 installs.
However, Coen said that Hunter's role at corner would increase against the Cincinnati Bengals. True to his work, the former Colorado product has seen an uptick in playing time, especially in light of an injury the Jags sustained in the game.
The Jaguars will need to finish the Bengals game without Jarrian Jones (probably)
It's never pleasant to see a player get hurt, but that's the nature of the sport. Moreover, it paves the way for another player to show what he's got. In the case of the Jaguars, their PR account on Twitter announced that sophomore Jarrian Jones was questionable to return after leaving the game with a back injury.
The silver lining is that the Jaguars have a capable replacement in Travis Hunter. If he was already expected to have an even bigger workload on defense, Jones forces Jacksonville to lean on him.
In the first game of the season, Jones logged 47 defensive snaps, giving up three passes for 33 yards on five targets. He mostly lined up opposite Tyson Campbell after mostly manning the slot as a rookie.
Related: Rich Eisen makes a hilarious Liam Coen prediction for the Benglas game
The Jaguars will lean on Travis Hunter during Jarrian Jones' absence
Coming out of college, Travis Hunter made it abundantly clear that he would rather quit football than go to a team that would limit him to one side of the ball. Fortunately, the Jaguars have been willing to accommodate his request, so they put together a plan to bring him along in the offseason.
After mostly playing receiver in the offseason program, he began to line up at corner in mandatory minicamp. By training camp, he was already practicing on both sides on the same day. The West Palm Beach, Florida native took the next step when he played two ways in the preseason.
And with a chance to be part of the preparation for the Bengals game, Hunter has shown that he's truly capable of playing offense and defense at a high level.