Travis Hunter, the Jaguars’ highly anticipated two-way rookie once feared sidelined by injury, has officially been cleared to play in the Sept. 7 season opener against the Panthers, a decision that ends weeks of speculation and electrifies fans with excitement over his game-changing debut.

The Jacksonville Jaguars received a major boost ahead of their highly anticipated season opener against the Carolina Panthers on September 7, as wide receiver and cornerback Travis Hunter has been cleared to play.

The announcement came Wednesday from Jaguars general manager James Gladstone, who reassured fans that the two-way standout is healthy and ready to make an impact.

Hunter, 21, who made headlines as one of the most dynamic college players in recent years before being drafted by the Jaguars, had been a subject of speculation throughout training camp due to lingering concerns about his health.

Reports earlier in the offseason suggested that Hunter had been limited in practice after suffering a minor leg injury during preseason workouts, sparking debate among analysts and raising fears that his professional debut might be delayed.

Gladstone put those concerns to rest in a press conference at the team’s facility.

“Travis is good to go.

He’s worked closely with our medical staff, put in the rehab, and he’s been back at full speed this past week,” Gladstone said.

“He’s a competitor.

We’re excited to see him out there against Carolina.”

Hunter’s versatility has made him one of the most talked-about rookies entering the league this year.

Known for his rare ability to excel on both sides of the ball, the Jaguars coaching staff has hinted at using him in a hybrid role—lining up at wide receiver to provide another target for quarterback Trevor Lawrence while also rotating into the secondary to give the defense a spark.

Head coach Doug Pederson was cautiously optimistic earlier in the week, saying the staff was monitoring Hunter’s workload closely but fully expected him to contribute.

Fans have been buzzing since the announcement.

Social media exploded with excitement, with hashtags like #HunterDebut and #JagsNation trending shortly after the news broke.

One fan wrote on X (formerly Twitter), “Travis Hunter playing Week 1? That’s like getting two players in one.

The Panthers better be ready.” Another added, “This is why we drafted him—game changer.”

The Panthers, meanwhile, are surely taking notice.

Carolina’s secondary will have their hands full if Hunter lines up as a receiver, particularly with his deep-threat speed and strong hands.

Defensively, his presence gives Jacksonville a unique weapon capable of shutting down an opponent’s top wideout or creating turnovers with his ball-hawking instincts.

Hunter himself has been eager to silence doubts.

In a brief locker room interview Wednesday, he smiled and told reporters, “I feel great.

I’ve been waiting for this moment my whole life, and I’m ready to help this team win.

Whatever coach needs me to do, I’ll do it.”

His calm confidence drew comparisons to his college days at Colorado, where he famously played over 100 snaps per game under head coach Deion Sanders, dazzling crowds with highlight-reel catches and lockdown coverage.

The stakes for Jacksonville’s opener couldn’t be higher.

Coming off a playoff appearance last season, the Jaguars are aiming to cement themselves as one of the AFC’s rising powers.

Adding a fully healthy Hunter to the roster only heightens expectations.

Some insiders believe that if Hunter adapts quickly to the NFL’s pace, he could be a frontrunner for Rookie of the Year—an accolade that would further elevate his already-hyped status.

There are still questions about how sustainable his two-way role will be over the course of a grueling NFL season.

Analysts on ESPN’s “First Take” debated the risk earlier this week, with Stephen A.

Smith cautioning, “This isn’t college ball anymore.

Playing both ways in the NFL is unheard of—injury risk is real.”

But others argued that Hunter’s athleticism is so exceptional that it’s worth breaking tradition.

As for the Jaguars, they are betting on Hunter’s resilience and ability to change games in ways few players can.

Gladstone concluded his remarks by emphasizing the long-term vision: “Travis is a unique talent.

We’ll be smart with how we use him, but he’s going to make plays that win us games.

That’s why he’s here.”

With kickoff against Carolina just over a week away, all eyes will be on Hunter as he steps onto the NFL stage for the first time.

For Jaguars fans, his presence symbolizes hope and excitement—a chance to watch history in the making as a once-in-a-generation athlete begins his pro journey.

The season opener is set for September 7 at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, with kickoff scheduled for 1 p.m. ET. Jaguars supporters are expected to travel in droves, eager to see whether Travis Hunter’s long-awaited debut lives up to the extraordinary hype.