In an impressive display of versatility, Travis Hunter made headlines as he became the first NFL player since 2008 to start in both offensive and defensive roles during a single game. The Jacksonville Jaguars expanded his role significantly in Week 5, showcasing his skills in a three-wide receiver set while also utilizing him on defense.
Hunter's involvement on offense has increased dramatically, as he participated in 84.1% of snaps in 11 personnel formations over the first four weeks. In the latest game, he played 100% of those snaps during the first half, marking a significant rise in his offensive participation. For the first time this season, Hunter also took the field in two-wide receiver sets, indicating a potential growth in his offensive role moving forward.
Although Hunter had a quiet first half with only a 12-yard reception, he made a spectacular 44-yard catch early in the second half, setting a new career high for receiving yards. This performance highlighted his dual-threat capability and solidified his place in NFL history.
On the defensive side, Hunter lined up in five-plus defensive back sets during his first two defensive drives before taking a break for three drives. He returned to action midway through the third quarter, continuing to play as a left cornerback, where he is most effective. Despite not having enough targets to justify a spot in most fantasy lineups, his performance suggests a promising trajectory as he continues to develop in both roles.
Meanwhile, Brenton Strange faced an unfortunate setback as he suffered a hip injury late in the first half and did not return to the game. Before his exit, Strange had participated in 85% of the Jaguars' snaps, catching one pass for 22 yards. The injury occurred without any apparent incident, which makes it particularly concerning for the Jaguars.
Strange was ruled questionable at halftime and officially marked as out early in the fourth quarter. In his absence, the Jaguars turned to Johnny Mundt and Hunter Long to fill the void. Mundt primarily focused on run-blocking duties, while Long was more involved in passing situations. Additionally, Jacksonville promoted Quintin Morris to the 53-man roster, allowing him to join the tight end rotation. If Strange needs to miss more games, Long may see an uptick in usage, but he is unlikely to replicate Strange’s production due to limited playing time.
On the other side of the field, Tyquan Thornton is working hard to secure his place in the Kansas City Chiefs' lineup. In Week 5, Thornton led the team in receiving yards with three catches totaling 90 yards. With the return of Xavier Worthy, who had been sidelined due to injury, Thornton's role was diminished, but he managed to log more playing time compared to the previous week. This suggests that the coaching staff still sees value in his contributions.
Despite Worthy's increased workload, Thornton remained involved, and with Rashee Rice set to return from suspension in Week 7, the competition for targets may intensify. However, Thornton's ability to make explosive plays could mean he continues to see significant snaps, possibly impacting the fantasy values of Worthy and other receivers on the team.
The Jaguars maintained a consistent running back rotation, with Travis Etienne Jr. leading the pack, followed by Bhayshul Tuten and LeQuint Allen Jr.. The team released running back Cody Schrader, who had not seen any game action since being signed. Additionally, there were conversations about Brashard Smith potentially increasing his role, but he actually played fewer snaps this week compared to previous outings.
In Kansas City, Travis Kelce saw his playing time rise after a gradual decline over the first four weeks. Meanwhile, running back Elijah Mitchell and tight end Jared Wiley remained healthy inactives, continuing their pattern from earlier in the season.
As the season progresses, it’s crucial for fantasy managers and fans alike to keep an eye on these developments, particularly regarding player health and depth chart changes that could impact team performance.
