Jaguars Navigating Travis Hunter’s Rehab with Long-Term Vision in Mind
The Jacksonville Jaguars were just starting to see flashes of brilliance from rookie Travis Hunter when a practice injury brought his momentum to a halt. Now, as Hunter works his way back, head coach Liam Coen is focused on the bigger picture - how this setback could ultimately sharpen the team’s approach moving forward.
Coen didn’t sugarcoat the situation. Losing the No. 2 overall pick was a blow, especially as Hunter was beginning to carve out a real role.
But the Jaguars kept their foot on the gas, managing to stay competitive without one of their most dynamic young talents. That, Coen says, gives them a unique opportunity to reassess and recalibrate.
“This gives us a chance to ask, ‘What’s really going to help us get over the hump?’” Coen said.
“Whether it’s how we manage his time, his practice schedule, or how we use him on Sundays - it’s all on the table. We’ve got other guys who can make plays, and that’s huge.
But make no mistake, we need his playmaking ability, especially at corner.”
There’s no doubt in Coen’s mind about Hunter’s ability to bounce back. The coach raved about the rookie’s conditioning, calling it “the craziest” he’s ever seen.
“He doesn’t get tired. He doesn’t sweat.
It’s kind of crazy,” Coen said, half-joking, half-marveling. “He loves football - and fishing - but mostly football.
This was a minor setback, and his mindset is that it’s going to fuel a major comeback.”
Before the injury, Hunter was starting to flash the kind of two-way potential that made him such a high draft pick. A 100-yard game against the Rams was a glimpse of what could be - and then came the injury, which forced the Jaguars to pivot. Coen sees value in that experience, too.
“It kind of forced us to make some other decisions, and in some ways, it was a blessing,” Coen said. “But if you just let him go play football, especially at corner, he just looks the part.
And when he’s got the ball in his hands? He can make people miss - that’s not something you can coach.”
The Jaguars are still working through how to best deploy Hunter once he’s back to full strength. But one thing’s clear: they view him as a game-changer. It’s just a matter of finding the right balance - between instinct and structure, between health and usage - to unlock everything he brings to the table.
Texans Linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair Undergoes Thumb Surgery
Texans linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair recently underwent successful surgery on his thumb. No timeline was provided, but the procedure was reportedly a success - and that’s a positive development for a key piece of Houston’s defense.
Al-Shaair on Robert Saleh Taking Over the Titans: “Man, the Division Just Got Tougher”
Azeez Al-Shaair knows exactly what kind of coach Robert Saleh is - and that’s why he has mixed feelings about Saleh landing the head coaching job in Tennessee.
“Happy for him, but I was like, golly,” Al-Shaair said. “The division was already tough, and it just got a lot tougher.”
Saleh, who previously coached Al-Shaair in San Francisco, brings a unique blend of energy, intensity, and tactical acumen. And according to Al-Shaair, the fit in Tennessee couldn’t be more natural.
“They’ve got a strong foundation, and I think the core guys there are going to love playing for him,” he said.
One player Al-Shaair expects to benefit immediately? Titans star defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons.
“Jeff’s already coming off a career-high in sacks, and now he gets a coach like Saleh? That’s scary,” Al-Shaair said. “Being in that scheme is only going to elevate his game - and that’s saying something.”
What makes Saleh so effective, Al-Shaair explained, goes beyond X’s and O’s.
“He’s methodical, almost poetic in how he communicates,” Al-Shaair said. “He always has a story that ties into what you’re going through, and it just hits.
He’s high energy, always smiling, but super intense. You respect that because you know it comes from a deep love for the game.”
It’s that combination - passion, knowledge, and leadership - that Al-Shaair believes will make Saleh a transformative presence for the Titans.
“Put all that together, and you’ve got a leader of men,” he said. “That’s going to be something really special for Tennessee.”