The Jaguars’ first touchdown of the season was scored by a Hunter, but not that Hunter.
It was Hunter Long, not Travis Hunter, who scored for Jacksonville with 8:32 remaining in the first half. His 6-yard reception from Trevor Lawrence has the Jaguars leading the Panthers 10-3.
The game was delayed for weather immediately after the extra point.
Hunter started on offense and has four catches for 22 yards, but the No. 2 overall pick has not played on defense. Fox sideline reporter Jen Hale reported before the game Hunter would serve as a backup nickel in certain situations.
The Jaguars have outgained the Panthers 127 to 50, with Lawrence going 10-of-14 for 84 yards and a touchdown.
Brenton Strange has three catches for 49 yards.
Bryce Young is 3-for-6 for 16 yards and an interception.
Falcons wide receiver Darnell Mooney said that he’d be a game-time decision this week and the call didn’t go the way he was hoping.
Mooney is inactive for Sunday’s game against the Buccaneers. He was listed as questionable due to a shoulder injury that has limited him in practice.
With Mooney out and right tackle Kaleb McGary on injured reserve, the Falcons are without two of their projected offensive starters for the season.
Drake London, Ray-Ray McCloud, KhaDarel Hodge, Casey Washington, David Sills, and Jamal Agnew are the other Falcons wideouts.
Steelers at Jets
Steelers: LB Nick Herbig, OL Max Scharping, OL Andrus Peat, DL Esezi Otomewo, DL Derrick Harmon
Jets: WR Allen Lazard, TE Jelani Woods, T Esa Pole, DE Braiden McGregor, DL Leonard Taylor
Cardinals at Saints
Cardinals: OL Will Hernandez, RB Bam Knight, CB Kei’Trel Clark, CB Elijah Jones, LB Xavier Thomas
Saints: S Jordan Howden, DL Vernon Broughton, DT Khristian Boyd, WR Trey Palmer, G Xavier Truss DE Chase Young, G Trevor Penning
Dolphins at Colts
Dolphins: QB Quinn Ewers, RB Jaylen Wright, CB Ethan Bonner, TE Darren Waller, OL Kendall Lamm, WR Tahj Washington, DT Zeek Biggers
Colts: CB Johnathan Edwards, RB Tyler Goodson, QB Riley Leonard, TE Will Mallory, LB Chad Muma, T Luke Tenuta, DE JT Tuimoloau
Raiders at Patriots
Raiders: RB Raheem Mostert, G Caleb Rogers, DT Leki Fotu, DT JJ Pegues, LB Brennan Jackson, T Charles Grant, S Tristin McCollum
Patriots: G Caedan Wallace, LB Anfernee Jennings, WR Efton Chism III, DT Eric Gregory, QB Tommy DeVito, CB Christian Gonzalez, CB Charles Woods
Giants at Commanders
Giants: T Andrew Thomas, S Beau Brade, OL Evan Neal, TE Thomas Fidone II, DL Darius Alexander, QB Jameis Winston
Commanders: RB Chris Rodriguez, QB Josh Johnson, LB Ale Kaho, LB Kain Medrano, T Trent Scott, T George Fant, DE Javontae Jean-Baptiste
Panthers at Jaguars
Panthers: WR Jimmy Horn Jr., T Ikem Ekwonu, WR Dalevon Campbell, TE James Mitchell, DT Cam Jackson
Jaguars: CB Montaric Brown, OL Wyatt Milum, OL Cole Van Lanen, DL Danny Striggow, DT Maason Smith, DL B.J. Green II
Bengals at Browns
Bengals: CB Marco Wilson, OL Matt Lee, WR Jermaine Burton, TE Cam Grandy, DT McKinnley Jackson, DT Howard Cross III
Browns: QB Shedeur Sanders, DT Mike Hall Jr., G Zak Zinter, T KT Leveston, WR Gage Larvadain
Buccaneers at Falcons
Buccaneers: WR Chris Godwin, T Tristan Wirfs, CB Benjamin Morrison, CB Christian Izien, RB Josh Williams, TE Devin Culp, CB Kindle Vildor
Falcons: WR Darnell Mooney, DL Sam Roberts, CB Clark Phillips III, S DeMarcco Hellams, RB Nate Carter, LB Josh Woods, OL Jack Nelson
It looks like Travis Hunter’s NFL debut will feature more offense than defense.
Adam Schefter of ESPN reports that the Jaguars plan to use Hunter as an every-down receiver during Sunday’s game against the Panthers. The second overall pick is also expected to be used as a situational cornerback.
“We’re going to have to figure it out,” Jaguars head coach Liam Coen said on Friday. “We’re going to have to all be flexible. We’ll come up with that plan over the next 24 hours in terms like, alright, what are the exact maybe numbers we want to hit on both sides or usage?”
The report notes that the plan won’t necessarily remain the same in the weeks to come, but it fits with the depth chart the Jaguars released earlier this week. It lists Hunter as a starting wideout and the second-string corner behind Jourdan Lewis.
The Panthers and Jaguars are linked by something more than the fact that they joined the league together, thirty years ago.
Two years ago, the Panthers played in Jacksonville. Panthers owner David Tepper threw a drink on a fan who had apparently been giving the Carolina contingent the business during a 26-0 win by the home team. The league fined Tepper $300,000.
This time around, it won’t happen. Even if Tepper becomes tempted to do so.
Via Joseph Person of the Charlotte Observer, a Jaguars spokesperson said that the team has moved the visiting owner’s suite to the opposite side of the stadium and one level higher. It won’t be in close proximity to fans.
Panthers left tackle Ikem Ekwonu is officially unlikely to play in Sunday’s season opener against the Jaguars.
Carolina’s final injury report of the week lists Ekwonu as doubtful after he recently underwent an appendectomy.
Ekwonu was able to get back on the practice field in a limited capacity on Friday, putting him in a position to play sooner than later.
The Panthers won’t have cornerback Damarri Mathis (knee), as he did not practice over the last two days.
Guard Robert Hunt (foot), guard Damien Lewis (shoulder/ankle), and defensive end A’Shawn Robinson (groin) are all off the injury report and set to play.
