Justin

Hunter

Finally healed from a torn labrum, Hunter is ready to get back to work. A big body (6'4"/203) with 4.44 wheels, Hunter profiles as a downfield threat, though he’s never lived up to his second-round billing (85-1,349-13 receiving line on 187 career targets).

With Julian Edelman battling a thumb issue, the Pats are a man short at wideout. Hunter made 12 appearances for the Steelers over the past two seasons. Even with the Pats’ receiver corps a bit of a jumbled mess behind Edelman, Hunter would be little more than a depth signing with limited odds at cracking the 53-man roster.

Hunter was ruled out in the second half. With James Washington inactive, Ryan Switzer will pick up Hunter’s snaps.

He’s a healthy scratch for the third straight week. The rest of the Steelers inactives are CB Mike Hilton, S Morgan Burnett, QB Mason Rudolph, S Marcus Allen, OT Zach Banner, and DE L.T. Walton.

Hunter blazed a 4.44 forty time at the Combine, but did so at a weak-looking 196 pounds on his 6-foot-4 frame. He’s playing Z receiver in Tennessee, which is a position that requires at least some physicality. We’re skeptical Hunter will have any rookie fantasy value with Jake Locker at quarterback this season.

He was out again on Monday. The Nashville Tennessean reports Hunter may be held out until training camp. Hunter’s toughness has already been questioned publicly by WRs coach Shawn Jefferson. He’s falling behind the eight ball.

Hunter, the No. 34 overall pick, has missed all of OTAs with a hamstring issue, and he’s not expected back on the field any time before training camp. The rookie should immediately step in as the Titans’ starting “Z” receiver opposite Kenny Britt at the “X” spot. Nate Washington isn’t expected to stick around.

“Justin needs to get his (butt) going,” Jefferson said. “Sometimes we have to fight through things. That’s how I was taught with Bill Parcells. If it ain’t broke, then I’m not hurt. This is a very crucial time. This is where we see the growth in the kid, where he gets used to going through some adversity.” Coach Mike Munchak and OC Dowell Loggains were more diplomatic with their comments, but it’s unlikely Jefferson would have popped off to such a degree without their permission. Hunter should be motivated for training camp.

It was Hunter’s first practice of any kind during OTAs. It puts him on track to be ready for team drills when training camp begins late next month, but he’ll be on the spot to prove he can stay on the field after WRs coach Shawn Jefferson questioned his toughness in May. Hunter has the talent to make an impact as a rookie, but the Titans’ erratic passing attack could hold him back.

It means barring an unexpected return on Wednesday or Thursday, the No. 34 overall pick will go into training camp having missed all of OTAs. His toughness has already been questioned by WRs coach Shawn Jefferson, so it’s safe to assume coach Mike Munchak isn’t thrilled, either. Perhaps it’s why Munchak has insisted Nate Washington remains in the Titans’ plans after it was previously believed he was good as gone.