"I Have No Idea What's Going On": Deion Sanders Sounds Off on Jaguars' Plan for Travis Hunter
Colorado coach says he intends to speak directly with Jacksonville staff after Hunter plays only 14 defensive snaps in Week 2.
Key Story Takeaways
- Deion Sanders called out Jacksonville's coaching staff for severely limiting Travis Hunter's snaps on defense.
- Hunter played 42 snaps at wide receiver but saw only 14 snaps at cornerback in Week 2.
- Sanders announced plans to reach out directly to Jaguars brass to understand their developmental vision.
- Jacksonville head coach Doug Pederson maintained that Hunter's workload is being managed conservatively to avoid rookie burnout.
JACKSONVILLE — Four months after expressing frustration over the lack of dialogue with Jacksonville brass, Colorado head coach Deion Sanders addressed the elephant in the room once again on Saturday.
Speaking on Travis Hunter's early-season deployment, Sanders pulled no punches regarding how the Jaguars are managing the highest-profile two-way prospect since Charles Woodson.
"I have no idea what's going on," Sanders said plainly when asked about Hunter's uneven snap split. "I'm going to find out. I want to see how they're utilizing him. He's a generational talent, and you've got to let special players be special on both sides of the ball."
The Two-Way Dilemma
Through the first two weeks of the NFL campaign, the Jaguars have leaned almost exclusively on Hunter as an offensive weapon. In last Sunday's loss, Hunter was on the field for 42 offensive snaps, hauling in four receptions for 52 yards. On defense, however, he logged a measly 14 snaps at boundary cornerback.
For Sanders, who helped craft Hunter's rare stamina during their time together at Jackson State and Colorado, icing the rookie on defense does more harm than good. Sanders believes pulling Hunter out of defensive series disrupts his flow and prevents him from reading opposing quarterbacks in real time.
Doug Pederson's Calculated Approach
Jacksonville head coach Doug Pederson responded earlier in the week, defending the team's conservative deployment:
"We have to protect Travis from himself sometimes. A 17-game NFL season is a brutal grind compared to college. We want him fresh for November and December, not exhausted by Week 6."
Whether Pederson expands Hunter's coverage responsibilities this Sunday against a high-octane passing attack will be one of the most scrutinized storylines in the league.