Justin Hunter
{{Short description|American football player (born 1991)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=March 2024}}
{{Infobox NFL biography
| name = Justin Hunter
| image = Justin Hunter 2014.jpg
| image_size =
| alt =
| caption = Hunter with the Tennessee Titans in 2014
| current_team =
| number = 15, 17, 11
| position = Wide receiver
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1991|5|20|mf=y}}
| birth_place = Virginia Beach, Virginia, U.S.
| height_ft = 6
| height_in = 4
| weight_lbs = 203
| high_school = Ocean Lakes
(Virginia Beach, Virginia)
| college = Tennessee (2010–2012)
| draftyear = 2013
| draftround = 2
| draftpick = 34
| pastteams =
- Tennessee Titans ({{NFL Year|2013}}–{{NFL Year|2015}})
- Miami Dolphins ({{NFL Year|2016}})
- Buffalo Bills ({{NFL Year|2016}})
- Pittsburgh Steelers ({{NFL Year|2017}}–{{NFL Year|2018}})
| status =
| highlights =
| statweek =
| statseason =
| statlabel1 = Receptions
| statvalue1 = 85
| statlabel2 = Receiving yards
| statvalue2 = 1,349
| statlabel3 = Receiving touchdowns
| statvalue3 = 13
| pfr = H/HuntJu00
}}
Justin Scott Parker Hunter{{Cite web |title=Justin Hunter Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/H/HuntJu00.htm |access-date=March 4, 2024 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}} (born May 20, 1991) is an American former professional football player who was a wide receiver in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Tennessee Volunteers. Hunter was selected by the Tennessee Titans in the second round of the 2013 NFL draft.
Hunter spent three seasons with the Titans before being released prior to the 2016 season. During the 2016 regular season, Hunter played in one game with the Miami Dolphins before spending most of the season with the Buffalo Bills. He then spent the next two seasons with the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Hunter is a world-class long jumper, and represented the United States at the 2010 IAAF World Junior Championships.{{Cite web |title=Justin Hunter |url=https://worldathletics.org/athletes/united-states/justin-hunter-14411261 |access-date=March 4, 2024 |website=World Athletics}}
Early life
Hunter was born in Virginia Beach, Virginia.{{Cite web |date=December 7, 2023 |title=NCAA clears Tennessee freshman WR Justin Hunter |url=https://www.columbian.com/news/2010/aug/31/ncaa-clears-tennessee-freshman-wr-justin-hunter/ |access-date=March 4, 2024 |website=The Columbian |language=en-US}} He attended Ocean Lakes High School in Virginia Beach where he played football and basketball and ran track for the Ocean Lakes Dolphins.{{Cite web |last=Vingan |first=Adam |date=August 11, 2015 |title=High school coach: Titans' Justin Hunter 'never that guy' |url=https://www.tennessean.com/story/sports/nfl/titans/2015/08/11/justin-hunter-arrested-felony-assault-tennessee-titans-virginia-beach/31407831/ |access-date=March 4, 2024 |website=The Tennessean |language=en-US}} As a junior in 2008, he caught 34 passes for 545 yards and 13 touchdowns. As a senior in 2009, he caught 46 passes for 714 yards and nine touchdowns. He was ranked as the eighth best wide receiver recruit and 75th best overall prospect in his class by Rivals.com.{{Cite web |title=Justin Hunter – Football |url=https://utsports.com/sports/football/roster/justin-hunter/1418 |access-date=March 2, 2024 |website=University of Tennessee Athletics |language=en}}{{Cite web |title=Justin Hunter, 2010 Wide Receiver, Tennessee |url=https://rivals.com/content/athletes/justin-hunter-26855?view=pv |access-date=March 4, 2024 |website=Rivals.com |language=en-US}}
As a track and field athlete, Hunter was an accomplished jumper. He was ranked by Track & Field News as the third best long jumper, seventh best high jumper and fourteenth best triple jumper. He won Virginia state titles in long jump and high jump and settled for second place in the triple jump. His best long jump, 25'10¾", qualified him for the IAAF World Junior Championships in Athletics.{{Cite web |last=Fann |first=Joe |date=October 28, 2014 |title=Aiming High: Sky's the Limit for WR Justin Hunter |url=http://www.titansonline.com/news/article-1/Aiming-High-Skys-the-Limit-for-WR-Justin-Hunter/4913ba3c-3b0e-437f-b646-ac9aaa89a5cd |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304081601/http://www.titansonline.com/news/article-1/Aiming-High-Skys-the-Limit-for-WR-Justin-Hunter/4913ba3c-3b0e-437f-b646-ac9aaa89a5cd |archive-date=March 4, 2016 |access-date=July 20, 2015 |website=TitansOnline.com}}
College career
File:Employees pay tribute to former district engineer, Vols coaching legend 121103-A-EO110-011.jpg
Hunter enrolled in the University of Tennessee, where he played for the Tennessee Volunteers football team from 2010 to 2012 and competed for one season on Tennessee's track and field team.{{Cite web |title=Justin Hunter College Stats, School, Draft, Gamelog, Splits |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/players/justin-hunter-1.html |access-date=March 4, 2024 |website=Sports Reference |language=en}}{{Cite web |title=Justin Hunter – Track and Field Results & Statistics |url=https://tf.tfrrs.org/athletes/3278585/Tennessee/Justin_Hunter |access-date=March 4, 2024 |website=TFRRS}} As a true freshman in 2010, Hunter started two of 13 games and had 16 receptions for 415 yards and seven touchdowns, averaging a team-leading 25.9 yards per catch. His first touchdown reception was a 35-yard reception that came on a fourth-down play against Florida. Coming off the bench against Georgia, he caught four passes for 110 yards. In his second career start against the Ole Miss Rebels, he caught three passes for 114 yards, including an 80-yard touchdown. He was named to the Coaches' All-SEC Freshman Team.{{Cite web |date=December 10, 2010 |title=2010 Freshman All-SEC Team announced |url=https://www.kait8.com/story/13651073/2010-freshman-all-sec-team-announced |access-date=March 4, 2024 |website=KAIT8 |language=en}}
In track and field, Hunter set a Tennessee freshman record with a long jump measuring 26'1½". He was named a First-team All-American by the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association in the event and was also named to the SEC Indoor All-Freshman Team.
Hunter started the first three games of his sophomore season in 2011 before tearing his ACL on his first catch in the game against Florida, which caused him to miss the rest of the season.{{Cite web |date=September 18, 2011 |title=Tennessee Volunteers lose Justin Hunter for season with torn ACL |url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/6990078/tennessee-volunteers-lose-justin-hunter-season-torn-acl |access-date=July 21, 2015 |website=ESPN.com|agency=Associated Press}} The injury also forced him to quit competing in track and field after one season. For his limited season, he had 17 receptions for 314 yards with two touchdowns. He caught 6 passes for 146 yards, including an 81-yard touchdown, against Montana in the first game of the season. Against Cincinnati, he caught 10 passes for 156 yards and a touchdown. At the time of his injury, he was leading the SEC in receptions per game and receiving yards per game.
Hunter started all 12 games in the 2012 season, and caught 73 passes for 1,083 yards and nine touchdowns.{{Cite web |title=Justin Hunter 2012 Game Log |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/players/justin-hunter-1/gamelog/2012/ |access-date=March 4, 2024 |website=Sports Reference}} He was third in the SEC in both total receiving yards and receiving yards per game. His total of 73 catches was the second-highest in school history for a single season (Marcus Nash had 76 in 1997). In the season-opener against N.C. State, he had nine catches for 73 yards. Against Missouri, he caught nine passes for 181 yards, his eighth career game with more than 100 yards receiving.{{Cite web |date=December 15, 2012 |title=Vols' Hunter, Thomas Earn Phil Steele All-America Honors |url=https://www.chattanoogan.com/2012/12/15/240511/Vols--Hunter-Thomas-Earn-Phil-Steele.aspx |access-date=March 4, 2024 |website=Chattanoogan.com |language=en}} After the 2012 season, he was named to the Coaches' All-SEC Second-team.
On January 9, 2013, Hunter, along with college teammates Cordarrelle Patterson, Tyler Bray, and Darrington Sentimore, announced his intention to leave college early and declare for the 2013 NFL draft.{{Cite web |date=January 9, 2013 |title=Four Vols Entering NFL Draft |url=https://utsports.com/news/2013/1/9/four_vols_entering_nfl_draft.aspx |access-date=March 4, 2024 |website=University of Tennessee Athletics |language=en}}
=Statistics=
| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;" | |||||
| rowspan="2"| Season
! rowspan="2"| Team ! rowspan="2"| GP ! colspan="4"| Receiving | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rec | Yds | Avg | TD | ||
| 2010 | Tennessee
| 13 || 16 || 415 || 25.9 || 7 | ||||
| 2011 | Tennessee
| 3 || 17 || 314 || 18.5 || 2 | ||||
| 2012 | Tennessee
| 12 || 73 || 1,083 || 14.8 || 9 | ||||
| colspan="2"| [https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/players/justin-hunter-1.html Career] | 28 | 106 | 1,812 | 17.1 | 18 |
Professional career
=Pre-draft=
Coming out of Tennessee, Hunter was projected by the majority of NFL analysts and scouts to be a first or second round pick. He received an invitation to the NFL Combine and completed all the required drills except for the three-cone and bench press due to a shoulder and calf injury. On March 20, 2013, he participated at Tennessee's pro day and performed the broad jump, three-cone drill, and vertical for scouts and representatives.{{Cite web |title=*Justin Hunter, DS#2 WR, Tennessee |url=http://www.nfldraftscout.com/ratings/dsprofile.php?pyid=108792&draftyear=2013&genpos=WR |access-date=October 10, 2017 |website=nfldraftscout.com}} Representatives from all 32 NFL teams attended including the Pittsburgh Steeler's head coach Mike Tomlin and offensive coordinator Todd Haley to scout Justin Hunter, Cordarrelle Patterson, Tyler Bray, and eight other prospects.{{Cite web |last=Brandt |first=Gil |author-link=Gil Brandt |date=March 20, 2013 |title=Patterson, other WRs come to shine at Tennessee pro day |url=https://www.blogs.nfl.com/2013/03/20/patterson-other-wrs-come-to-shine-at-tennessee-pro-day/amp/ |access-date=October 10, 2017 |website=blog.NFL.com}}{{Dead link|date=January 2025 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} He was ranked as the second best wide receiver prospect available in the draft by NFLDraftScout.com and the third best wide receiver by NFL analyst Mike Mayock.{{Cite web |last=Mayock |first=Mike |date=April 19, 2013 |title=2013 NFL Draft: Mike Mayock's top 100 prospects |url=https://www.nfl.com/draft/story/0ap1000000161676/article/2013-nfl-draft-mike-mayocks-top-100-prospects |access-date=October 10, 2017 |website=NFL.com}}
{{NFL predraft
| height ft = 6
| height in = 4
| weight = 196
| dash = 4.44
| ten split = 1.58
| twenty split = 2.59
| shuttle = 4.33
| cone drill = 7.19
| vertical = 40.5
| broad ft = 11
| broad in = 6
| wonderlic =
| arm span = 33 1/4
| hand span = 9 3/8
| note = Sources:{{Cite web |title=Justin Hunter Draft and Combine Prospect Profile |url=https://www.nfl.com/prospects/justin-hunter/32004855-4e71-1562-25cf-5026e105d435 |access-date=June 29, 2023 |website=NFL.com}}{{Cite web |title=2013 NFL Draft Scout Justin Hunter College Football Profile |url=https://draftscout.com/dsprofile.php?PlayerId=108792&DraftYear=2013 |access-date=January 11, 2014 |website=DraftScout.com}}
}}
=Tennessee Titans=
==2013==
The Tennessee Titans selected Hunter in the second round (34th overall) of the 2013 NFL draft. He was the fourth wide receiver selected in the 2013 NFL draft.{{Cite web |title=2013 NFL Draft Listing |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/2013/draft.htm |access-date=May 14, 2023 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}}
On June 13, 2013, the Titans signed Hunter to a four-year, $5.42 million contract with $3.43 million guaranteed and a signing bonus of $2.32 million.{{Cite web |title=Sportrac.com: Justin Hunter contract |url=http://www.spotrac.com/nfl/buffalo-bills/justin-hunter-12315/ |access-date=November 27, 2016 |website=sportrac.com}}{{Cite web |date=June 14, 2013 |title=Justin Hunter signs contract with Tennessee Titans |url=https://www.nfl.com/news/justin-hunter-signs-contract-with-tennessee-titans-0ap1000000212250 |access-date=March 4, 2024 |website=NFL.com |language=en-US}}
Hunter entered the regular season as the Tennessee Titan's fourth wide receiver on their depth chart, behind veterans Kenny Britt, Nate Washington, and Kendall Wright.{{Cite web |title=Ourlads.com: Pittsburgh Steeler's depth chart |url=http://www.ourlads.com/nfldepthcharts/archive/148/TEN |access-date=October 10, 2017 |website=ourlads.com}}
On September 22, 2013, he recorded his first career NFL reception on a 34-yard touchdown pass from Jake Locker that was the game-winning score in a 20–17 win over San Diego Chargers.{{Cite web |last=Dent |first=Bucky |date=September 22, 2013 |title=Locker-Hunter connection lifts Titans past Chargers |url=http://sports.yahoo.com/news/locker-hunter-connection-lifts-titans-213227328--nfl.html |access-date=March 4, 2024 |website=Yahoo! Sports |language=en-US}} He caught his second career pass for a 16-yard touchdown against the New York Jets the following week.{{Cite web |title=New York Jets at Tennessee Titans – September 29th, 2013 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/201309290oti.htm |access-date=March 4, 2024 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}} On November 24, 2013, Hunter caught a season-high six passes for 109 receiving yards, and a 54-yard touchdown during a 23–19 victory over the Oakland Raiders.{{Cite web |title=Tennessee Titans at Oakland Raiders – November 24th, 2013 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/201311240rai.htm |access-date=March 4, 2024 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}} During a Week 14 matchup against the Denver Broncos, Hunter caught four passes for 114-yards and a touchdown in a 28–51 loss.{{Cite web |title=Tennessee Titans at Denver Broncos – December 8th, 2013 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/201312080den.htm |access-date=March 4, 2024 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}} He finished his rookie season with a total of 18 receptions for 354 receiving yards and four touchdowns in 14 games as the Tennessee Titans finished with a 7–9 record.{{Cite web |title=Justin Hunter 2013 Game Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/H/HuntJu00/gamelog/2013/ |access-date=March 4, 2024 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}}{{Cite web |title=2013 Tennessee Titans Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees, Injury Reports |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/oti/2013.htm |access-date=March 4, 2024 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}}
==2014==
Hunter entered training camp in {{NFL Year|2014}} competing with Marc Mariani and Dexter McCluster to be the Tennessee Titan's third wide receiver on their depth chart. Head coach Ken Whisenhunt named him the third wide receiver to begin the regular season, behind Kendall Wright and Nate Washington.{{Cite web |title=Ourlads.com: Tennessee Titan's depth chart: 08/01/2014 |url=http://www.ourlads.com/nfldepthcharts/archive/161/TEN |access-date=October 10, 2017 |website=ourlads.com}}
On October 5, 2014, Hunter made his first career start and caught three passes for a season-high 99 receiving yards and scored his first touchdown of the year on a 75-yard pass from Charlie Whitehurst. The Tennessee Titans went on to lose 29–28 to the Cleveland Browns{{Cite web |title=Cleveland Browns at Tennessee Titans – October 5th, 2014 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/201410050oti.htm |access-date=March 4, 2024 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}} During a Week 8 matchup against the Houston Texans, he caught a season-high four passes for 31 receiving yards and scored on a 12-yard touchdown pass from Zach Mettenberger, as the Titans were defeated 16–30.{{Cite web |title=Houston Texans at Tennessee Titans – October 26th, 2014 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/201410260oti.htm |access-date=March 4, 2024 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}}
On November 30, 2014, Hunter suffered a lacerated spleen on the first play of a 45–22 loss to the Houston Texans. He was hit by Texan's safety Danieal Manning and the pass was intercepted by Johnathan Joseph.{{Cite web |last=Wyatt |first=Jim |date=November 30, 2014 |title=Titans' Justin Hunter treated for lacerated spleen |url=https://www.tennessean.com/story/sports/nfl/titans/2014/11/30/titans-justin-hunter-treated-for-lacerated-spleen/19713729/ |access-date=March 4, 2024 |website=The Tennessean |language=en-US}} The injury caused him to miss the remainder of the season.{{Cite web |last=Kuharsky |first=Paul |date=November 30, 2014 |title=Juntin Hunter being treated for lacerated spleen |url=http://www.espn.com/blog/tennessee-titans/post/_/id/11028/justin-hunter-being-treated-for-lacerated-spleen |access-date=October 10, 2017 |website=ESPN.com}}
He finished his second season with a total of 28 receptions, 498 receiving yards, and three touchdowns in eight starts and 12 games as the Tennessee Titans finished the season 2–14 in their first season under Ken Whisenhunt.{{Cite web |title=Justin Hunter 2014 Game Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/H/HuntJu00/gamelog/2014/ |access-date=March 4, 2024 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}}{{Cite web |title=2014 Tennessee Titans Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees, Injury Reports |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/oti/2014.htm |access-date=March 4, 2024 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}}
==2015==
File:Joe Haden (21562191036).jpg in 2015]]
Throughout training camp in {{NFL Year|2015}}, Hunter faced stiff competition for the vacant starting wide receiver position left by Nate Washington. He lost the job to veteran Harry Douglas and was named the third wide receiver on the depth chart ahead of Hakeem Nicks, Jacoby Ford, and rookie Dorial Green-Beckham.{{Cite web |title=Ourlads.com: Tennessee Titan's depth chart: 09/01/2015 |url=http://www.ourlads.com/nfldepthcharts/archive/175/TEN |access-date=October 10, 2017 |website=ourlads.com}}
On October 18, 2015, he caught three passes for a season-high 54 receiving yards during a 38–10 loss to the Miami Dolphins.{{Cite web |title=Miami Dolphins at Tennessee Titans – October 18th, 2015 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/201510180oti.htm |access-date=March 4, 2024 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}} During a Week 9 victory over the New Orleans Saints, Hunter caught his only touchdown of the season on an eight-yard pass from rookie Marcus Mariota. He finished the 34–28 overtime victory with three receptions, 17 receiving yards, and a touchdown.{{Cite web |title=Tennessee Titans at New Orleans Saints – November 8th, 2015 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/201511080nor.htm |access-date=March 4, 2024 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}} The following week, he caught a season-high four passes for 47 receiving yards, but had to leave after suffering an apparent ankle injury during a 27–10 loss to the Carolina Panthers.{{Cite web |title=Carolina Panthers at Tennessee Titans – November 15th, 2015 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/201511150oti.htm |access-date=March 4, 2024 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}}
On Monday, November 16, 2015, Hunter was added to the season-ending injury reserve list after having surgery the day before to repair a fractured ankle suffered previous game against the Panthers.{{Cite web |last=Kuharsky |first=Paul |date=November 16, 2015 |title=Titans WR Justin Hunter, CB Jason McCourty done for season |url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/14146755/wr-justin-hunter-cb-jason-mccourty-miss-rest-season-tennessee-titans |access-date=November 17, 2015 |website=ESPN.com}}{{Cite web |date=November 17, 2015 |title=Injuries: Eagles' Ryan Mathews (concussion) sidelined |url=http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000582243/article/injuries-eagles-ryan-mathews-concussion-sidelined |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151118160847/http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000582243/article/injuries-eagles-ryan-mathews-concussion-sidelined |url-status=dead |archive-date=November 18, 2015 |access-date=November 17, 2015 |website=NFL.com}}
==2016==
After returning from a fractured ankle, Hunter entered training camp competing to be the Titans third option at wide receiver with Dorial Green-Beckham and Andre Johnson.{{Cite web |title=Ourlads.com: Tennessee Titan's depth chart: 08/01/2016 |url=http://www.ourlads.com/nfldepthcharts/archive/186/TEN |access-date=October 10, 2017 |website=ourlads.com}}
The Titans waived Hunter on September 2, 2016.{{Cite web |last=Kuharsky |first=Paul |date=September 2, 2016 |title=Titans release Justin Hunter, Bishop Sankey, Dexter McCluster |url=http://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/17449512/tennessee-titans-release-justin-hunter-bishop-sankey |access-date=September 2, 2016 |website=ESPN.com}}
=Miami Dolphins=
The Miami Dolphins claimed Hunter off waivers on September 4, 2016.{{Cite web |last=Florio |first=Mike |date=September 4, 2016 |title=Dolphins claim Justin Hunter on waivers |url=http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2016/09/04/dolphins-claim-justin-hunter-on-waivers/ |access-date=September 4, 2016 |website=NBCSports.com}} On September 11, 2016, he appeared in his only game with Miami, as they lost 12–10 to the Seattle Seahawks.
On September 15, 2016, he agreed to take a $387,389 pay cut in order to stay with the Dolphins. He was released by the team on September 28, 2016.{{Cite web |last=Wesseling |first=Chris |date=September 28, 2016 |title=Dolphins waive former second-round WR Justin Hunter |url=https://www.nfl.com/news/dolphins-waive-former-second-round-wr-justin-hunter-0ap3000000711562 |access-date=September 28, 2016 |website=NFL.com}}
=Buffalo Bills=
Hunter was claimed off waivers by the Buffalo Bills after Sammy Watkins was placed on injured reserve on September 30, 2016.{{Cite web |last=Brown |first=Chris |date=September 30, 2016 |title=Bills place Watkins on I-R; sign WR Hunter |url=http://www.buffalobills.com/news/article-1/bills-place-Watkins-on-i-r-sign-wr-hunter/518a3f68-b510-4263-bb04-9d87bde06d99 |access-date=September 30, 2016 |website=BuffaloBills.com |archive-date=November 27, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161127023607/https://www.buffalobills.com/news/article-1/Sammy-Watkins-added-to-active-roster-Expected-to-play-Sunday/2925cd62-0ece-49b2-90f7-1dca96e2eb6d |url-status=dead }}
Rex Ryan named him the team's fifth wide receiver on their depth chart behind Robert Woods, Marquise Goodwin, Greg Salas, and Walter Powell. Hunter made his Buffalo Bills debut on October 9, 2016, against the Los Angeles Rams and caught a four-yard touchdown pass from Tyrod Taylor.{{Cite web |title=Buffalo Bills at Los Angeles Rams – October 9th, 2016 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/201610090ram.htm |access-date=March 4, 2024 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}} The following week, he made his second reception and scored a touchdown on a 30-yard reception from Tyrod Taylor as the Bills went on to defeat the San Francisco 49ers 45–16.{{Cite web |title=San Francisco 49ers at Buffalo Bills – October 16th, 2016 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/201610160buf.htm |access-date=March 4, 2024 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}} On November 27, 2016, Hunter caught a game-winning 16-yard touchdown pass from Bills quarterback Tyrod Taylor and helped the Bills defeat the Jacksonville Jaguars 28–21.{{Cite web |title=Jacksonville Jaguars at Buffalo Bills – November 27th, 2016 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/201611270buf.htm |access-date=November 14, 2017 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}}
He finished his only season with the Buffalo Bills with a total of ten receptions, 189 receiving yards, and four touchdown receptions in 12 games and five starts.{{Cite web |title=Justin Hunter 2016 Game Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/H/HuntJu00/gamelog/2016/ |access-date=March 3, 2024 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}}
=Pittsburgh Steelers=
==2017==
On March 15, 2017, the Pittsburgh Steelers signed Hunter to a one-year, $855,000 contract that includes a signing bonus of $30,000.{{Cite web |last=Varley |first=Teresa |date=March 15, 2017 |title=Steelers agree to terms with Justin Hunter |url=https://www.steelers.com/news/steelers-agree-to-terms-with-justin-hunter-18654034 |access-date=March 4, 2024 |website=Steelers.com}}
Hunter entered Steelers training camp competing for a backup wide receiver position against Sammie Coates, JuJu Smith-Schuster, Cobi Hamilton, Demarcus Ayers, Eli Rogers, and Darrius Heyward-Bey. He was named the sixth wide receiver to begin the regular season, behind Antonio Brown, Martavis Bryant, Heyward-Bey, Smith-Schuster, and Rogers.{{Cite web |title=Ourlads.com: Pittsburgh Steeler's depth chart: 10/01/2017 |url=http://www.ourlads.com/nfldepthcharts/archive/200/PIT |access-date=October 10, 2017 |website=ourlads.com}}
Hunter was a healthy scratch for the first three regular season games.{{Cite web |title=Justin Hunter 2017 Game Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/H/HuntJu00/gamelog/2017/ |access-date=March 4, 2024 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}} On October 1, 2017, in Week 4, Hunter made his official Steelers regular season debut and finished a 26–9 victory over the Baltimore Ravens with one reception for five yards.{{Cite web |title=Pittsburgh Steelers at Baltimore Ravens – October 1st, 2017 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/201710010rav.htm |access-date=March 4, 2024 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}} On December 25, 2017, Hunter caught his first touchdown as a member of the Steelers on a five-yard pass by quarterback Ben Roethlisberger in their 34–6 win against the Houston Texans.{{Cite web |title=Pittsburgh Steelers at Houston Texans – December 25th, 2017 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/201712250htx.htm |access-date=March 4, 2024 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}}
==2018==
On April 5, 2018, the Steelers signed Hunter to a one-year, $870,000 contract with a signing bonus of $30,000.{{Cite web |last=Alper |first=Josh |date=April 5, 2018 |title=Steelers re-sign Justin Hunter, Stevan Ridley |url=https://www.nbcsports.com/nfl/profootballtalk/rumor-mill/news/steelers-re-sign-justin-hunter-stevan-ridley |access-date=March 4, 2024 |website=NBC Sports |language=en-US}} He played in five games, recording three catches for 21 yards before suffering a shoulder injury in Week 13.{{Cite web |title=Justin Hunter 2018 Game Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/H/HuntJu00/gamelog/2018/ |access-date=March 3, 2024 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}} He was placed on injured reserve on December 4, 2018.{{Cite web |last=Varley |first=Teresa |date=December 4, 2018 |title=Steelers promote RB Edmunds |url=https://www.steelers.com/news/steelers-promote-rb-edmunds |access-date=March 4, 2024 |website=Steelers.com}}
Personal life
On July 20, 2015, Hunter turned himself in to the Virginia Beach police department following a large bar fight which occurred on July 3 in Virginia Beach. He was arrested and held without bond.{{Cite web |last=Draper |first=Kevin |date=July 20, 2015 |title=Report: Titans WR Justin Hunter Arrested For July 4th Weekend Assault |url=http://deadspin.com/report-titans-wr-justin-hunter-arrested-for-july-4th-w-1719133599 |access-date=July 20, 2015 |website=Deadspin |publisher=Gawker Media}} He was later found not guilty of misdemeanor assault and battery on September 15, 2015.{{Cite web |last=Holroyd |first=Caitlyn |date=September 15, 2015 |title=Justin Hunter found not guilty of assault and battery charges |url=https://www.thescore.com/nfl/news/831697-justin-hunter-found-not-guilty-on-assault-and-battery-charges |access-date=December 28, 2017 |website=theScore |publisher=Rogers Media}}
On January 28, 2017, Hunter and his long term girlfriend, with whom he has three children, became engaged.
References
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External links
- [https://web.archive.org/web/20160729224556/http://www.utsports.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/hunter_justin00.html Tennessee Volunteers bio]
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{{Tennessee Titans 2013 draft navbox}}
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Category:American football wide receivers
Category:Buffalo Bills players
Category:Miami Dolphins players
Category:Pittsburgh Steelers players
Category:Players of American football from Virginia Beach, Virginia
Category:Tennessee Titans players