The Jacksonville Jaguars are preparing for a their Week 9 matchup against the Las Vegas Raiders as they look to get back on track following their bye week. Brian Thomas Jr. is dealing with a shoulder injury that has lingered since Week 7. Will fantasy football managers have the Jaguars receiver available for this week’s game against the Las Vegas Raiders?
Brian Thomas Jr. Injury Update
Thomas has dealt with multiple injuries this year but has yet to miss a game throughout the 2025 season. The latest issue is a shoulder injury that first surfaced during the Jaguars’ Week 7 blowout loss to the Los Angeles Rams.
The way in which the injury occurred was worrisome, as a seemingly innocuous shove from a Rams defensive back caused Thomas to keel over and grab his shoulder area. This suggests the injury may have occurred earlier in the game but didn’t manifest until that exact moment, indicating potential underlying damage.
Thomas has now had the benefit of the team’s bye week to recover from the shoulder issue. The fact that he was able to participate in Wednesday’s practice is a great sign for his Week 9 availability against Las Vegas.
However, the fact that he was limited in practice indicates the shoulder is not completely healed. Thomas wore a harness on his injured right shoulder during Wednesday’s session, according to Ryan O’Halloran of The Florida Times-Union, suggesting ongoing discomfort or precautionary measures.
It’s definitely concerning that Thomas isn’t completely over the injury following the bye week. Most players would expect to be fully healthy after two weeks of rest, so the continued limitation raises questions about the severity of the shoulder problem.
The limited practice session suggests he will be able to play against the Raiders, but there is definitely an increased risk of in-game aggravation that could cause Thomas to exit early. His ability to practice at all remains encouraging for his Sunday availability.
Thomas’ Fantasy Outlook
Despite the shoulder concerns, Thomas belongs in fantasy lineups if he plays against a Las Vegas Raiders defense that has been generous to opposing wide receivers. The Raiders allow the eighth-most schedule-adjusted fantasy points per game to the position, making them an ideal matchup for Thomas’ return.
Thomas said he’s “getting better and better, day by day,” though his shoulder apparently remains an issue after the bye week. This could potentially impact his effectiveness even if he’s available for game action.
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The rookie sensation has been productive when healthy this season despite battling through various ailments. His big-play ability and role as Jacksonville’s primary deep threat make him a must-start option when available, particularly in favorable matchups like this one.
Head coach Liam Coen has expressed confidence in Thomas’ ability to contribute, noting his excitement for the receiver’s opportunities moving forward. The coaching staff appears committed to getting Thomas involved despite the injury concerns.
Fantasy managers should monitor Thomas throughout the week to gauge his participation level. If he can upgrade to full practice participation by Friday, that would significantly reduce concerns about his effectiveness and availability for Sunday’s contest.
The combination of a favorable matchup and Thomas’ talent level makes him worth the risk for fantasy managers, even with the lingering shoulder issue creating some uncertainty about his durability throughout the game.
