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Buffs in the NFL
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October 31st
Travis Hunter placed on Injured Reserve; out at least four weeks
From ESPN … Jaguars wide receiver/cornerback Travis Hunter will be placed on injured reserve after suffering a noncontact right knee injury during Thursday’s practice, but the team is still trying to determine the extent of the injury.
Hunter will miss at least four games, but it could be more depending on what further tests reveal, coach Liam Coen said Friday. The earliest Hunter could return would be the Week 13 game at the Tennessee Titans.
“We’re currently assessing the injury just to determine the best course of action moving forward for Travis and for the team,” Coen said. “Feel bad for the guy, for the kid, for our team, for everything, but he’s in good spirits right now. Minor setback for a major comeback. That’s just the way it’s got to be.”
The injury occurred while Hunter was on defense during practice.
Hunter was coming off his best offensive performance as a pro prior to the Jaguars’ bye week, catching eight passes for 104 yards and his first NFL touchdown during a 35-7 loss to the Los Angeles Rams in London.
The 2024 Heisman Trophy winner has 28 catches for 298 yards and a touchdown. On defense, he has 15 tackles and three pass breakups. He has played 67% of the team’s offensive snaps and 36% of the defensive snaps.
Hunter was moving into the role as the team’s No. 1 wide receiver, partly because of his skills and playmaking ability but also because of Brian Thomas Jr.’s struggles (five drops). The injury is forcing the Jaguars to adjust their offensive game plan for Sunday’s game at the Las Vegas Raiders as well as for as long as Hunter is out.
“It is definitely not ideal timing,” Coen said. “Not that any injuries are ever ideal timing, but got to believe the makeup, his general attitude towards life and how he handles dealing with specific situations — I have a lot of belief in Travis as a person, as a competitor, to come back better than ever.”
… Continue reading story here …
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Names and Numbers after Week Eight in the NFL
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— Travis Hunter, WR/DB, Jacksonville … On a bye this past week. It seems like every week, Hunter’s participation on both sides of the ball is increasing. With a week off to rest and scheme for more plays for Travis, the 2024 Heisman Trophy winner will only be more active. There was also a new “Heisman House” commercial shown on Monday night football, so Travis has that going for him, which is nice.
- For the season … 28 receptions for 298 yards and a touchdown … 15 tackles (11 solo) … three passes defended …
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— Nate Landman, LB, Los Angeles Rams … Also on a bye this past week. Landman is on pace to become the first Buff to be named to the NFL Pro Bowl since offensive lineman David Bakhtiari in 2020.
- For the season … 67 tackles (high on team), with 33 solo … 1.5 sacks; two tackles for loss … four passes defended … one forced fumble … two fumble recoveries …
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— Jimmy Horn Jr., WR, Carolina Panthers … In Carolina, Jimmy Horn Jr. continued seeing limited action, and was in for only a handful of plays in a blowout loss to Buffalo. The rookie wideout recorded one target for zero yards, and two rushes for nine yards, a modest line that undersells his value to the Panthers offense. With a blowout loss to the Bills, you would think Carolina would find ways to involve Horn … but to date, not so much.
- For the season … Five catches for 65 yards … Six carries for 37 yards …
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— Chidobe Awuzie, DB, Baltimore Ravens … Finally off of injured reserve, Awuzie saw limited action in the Ravens win over Chicago. He should be a full go for Thursday night’s game against the Miami Dolphins.
- For the season … 20 tackles, 10 solo … one pass defended …
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— LaJohntay Wester, WR/PR, Baltimore Ravens … Baltimore finally won a game this past weekend, defeating Chicago, 30-16, after four straight losses. Wester, though, did not contribute any stats to the game.
- For the season … Has not caught a pass yet, but does have seven punt returns for 111 yards …
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— Isaiah Oliver, DB, New York Jets … Did see some additional playing time in New York’s 39-38 win over Cincinnati, the Jets first win of the season. Oliver contributed one tackle to the victory.
- For the season … 22 tackles (13 solo) …
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— Shedeur Sanders, QB, Cleveland Browns … Shedeur Sanders was listed inactive this past week with a minor back issue. Sanders was added to the Browns’ injury report with back tightness one day before Cleveland was set to take the field in New England. The news came after Sanders was seen on the field going through a pregame workout. Sanders being ruled inactive would suggest that his back did not respond well to the workout. His absence comes at a time when curiosity around his NFL debut continues to grow louder and speculation about possible trades are circulating in the media. Considering how bad the Browns are this season, it may be for the best that Dillon Gabriel is starting … and absorbing the punishment (and the L’s).
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— Ahkello Witherspoon, DB, Los Angeles Rams … Witherspoon sustained a broken clavicle three weeks ago against the Titans. He has been placed on IR and there is no timetable for his return.
- For the season … Three tackles (all three solo) … One pass defended …
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— BJ Green, DE, Jacksonville Jaguars … Had one tackle against the Rams this past Sunday.
- For the season … two tackles, both unassisted …
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Other Buffs … On active rosters …
- WR Xavier Weaver – Arizona Cardinals
- TE Brady Russell – Seattle Seahawks
Other Buffs … On injured reserve or on practice squads …