Two-way rookie Travis Hunter won’t be among Jags’ starters getting more work in Sunday’s preseason game against Saints

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Days after Travis Hunter came up slowly after attempting to make a diving catch during the scrimmage, the rookie first-round pick has been officially ruled out of the Jaguars’ preseason game in New Orleans.

Hunter, who was held out of Friday’s practice as a precautionary measure with an upper body injury, was on the list of players the Jaguars said will not participate in the game against the Saints.

Also on the “will not participate” list are presumptive right tackle Anton Harrison, cornerback Tyson Campbell, receiver Dyami Brown and defensive end Arik Armstead.

Harrison was banged up during the scrimmage and worked off to the side on Friday. Campbell was dinged during the preseason opener.

Head coach Liam Coen said he took some extra time to determine what a lineup against the Saints could look like with the injuries.

The team announced Saturday that the Jaguars are planning to get the starters some work during the second preseason game of the year (1 p.m. at New Orleans).

Coen was weighing the possibility of getting Trevor Lawrence and Co. some playing time at New Orleans but had to see where the team stood on its injury front before determining the game plan.

He said he didn’t want to risk substantial injuries to players like Lawrence, Brown and receiver Brian Thomas Jr. or running backs Tank Bigsby and Travis Etienne if they had to play with second- and third-team players working in front of them.

“So we kind of need to just make sure that we’re, if we are putting, Trevor, we make sure we’re protected and we have the right guys in front,” Coen said. “Same with the runners, things like that. Just making sure that we’re not putting people in vulnerable spots because we are injured.”

The starting offense played just one series against the Steelers and managed a field goal.

Judging by that game as a whole and a challenging week of training camp practice, there’s no question that Jacksonville needs all the work it can get before the regular season opener against the Panthers on Sept. 7.