The Jacksonville Jaguars’ receiving corps continues navigating significant injury concerns as they prepare for their Week 11 matchup. Brian Thomas Jr. missed Sunday’s game against the Houston Texans with an ankle injury. Will fantasy football managers have their top receiver available this week?
Brian Thomas Jr. Injury Update
Thomas exited the Jaguars’ Week 9 overtime victory against the Las Vegas Raiders with an ankle injury. He sustained the injury during the latter stages of regulation and did not return for the overtime period.
ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported on Tuesday following the game that Thomas is dealing with a low-grade high ankle sprain. Schefter mentioned that there remained a “chance to play this week” for him in Week 10. However, that optimism did not materialize into availability.
Thomas did not practice at all ahead of Week 10. The Jaguars officially ruled him out on Friday for their Week 10 divisional matchup in Houston. A low-grade sprain usually is not a long-term injury, but high ankle sprains still need plenty of rest and can be painful. Players often miss at least a week with this type of injury.
The good news arrived Wednesday when Thomas returned to the practice field. Jacksonville’s second-year receiver was spotted at practice on Wednesday, according to Demetrius Harvey of Jaguars.com. This puts him on track to play Sunday against the Chargers.
Thomas was limited in his return to practice on Wednesday, but his presence on the field means he now has a realistic chance to return this weekend. The fact that Schefter said Thomas had a chance to play in Week 10 suggested there should be a chance he plays this week, and Wednesday’s practice participation confirms that timeline.
Offensive coordinator Liam Coen commented on the impact of Thomas’ absence ahead of Week 10, stating, “Not having him is a big deal for us. Those guys will need to continue stepping up this week and make some tough, contested plays—it’s going to be that kind of game”.
Thomas leads the Jaguars in receptions with 30 catches and receiving yards with 420 through eight games. He’s also scored one touchdown while averaging 14.0 yards per reception. Without him and with Travis Hunter on IR with a season-ending knee injury, the Jaguars were without their top two receivers in Week 10.
Fantasy managers will want to keep a close eye on Thomas’ status for the rest of the week. If he can continue practicing Thursday and Friday, even in a limited capacity, his chances of playing Sunday increase significantly.
Thomas Fantasy Outlook
Thomas is having a tough second season after a great rookie year. So far, he has only one WR1-level performance and just two games with more than 12.0 fantasy points in nine weeks.
This season, Thomas Jr. has demonstrated his ability to make plays, although he has also struggled with inconsistency. He has successfully caught only 51% of his targets and recorded seven dropped passes thus far. For the season, Thomas has caught 30 out of 59 targets for 420 yards along with one receiving touchdown.
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Should Thomas miss another game, along with Travis Hunter being on IR, the Jaguars will continue facing a significant shortage at wide receiver. By default, Parker Washington would remain the primary target in the passing game, although his abilities do not instill much confidence as a lead receiver.
Jakobi Meyers, who was traded to the team before the Week 10 deadline, made his debut against the Texans. The Jaguars acquired Meyers from the Las Vegas Raiders to help address their depleted receiving corps. Meyers brings a proven track record, having surpassed the 1,000-yard mark last season.
Dyami Brown, who exited the Raiders game with a concussion, improved from limited participation on Wednesday to full on Thursday ahead of Week 10. Tim Patrick has also been dealing with a groin issue but fully participated in practice.
If Thomas can return for Week 11, fantasy managers should closely monitor his snap count and target share. Even if he plays, the ankle injury could limit his explosiveness and ability to create separation. High ankle sprains are notorious for lingering and affecting a player’s ability to cut and accelerate.
Fantasy managers rostering Thomas should have a backup plan ready in case he misses another week. Wednesday’s practice report will be critical in determining his status for Week 11. Even a limited session would represent progress, while another DNP would strongly suggest he’ll miss a second consecutive game.
Thomas was the 23rd overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft out of LSU. He finished fourth in Offensive Rookie of the Year voting last season after amassing 87 catches for 1,282 yards and 10 touchdowns. Fantasy managers holding Thomas are hoping he can recapture that form once he’s fully recovered from the ankle injury.
