Jacksonville Jaguars’ playoff push now runs parallel to a lingering question: when their young wideout finally returns, what version of him will the team get? Brian Thomas Jr.’s status entering Week 13 remains uncertain, and while signs of progress exist, his on-field impact before the injury adds another layer to this week’s anticipation.
Brian Thomas Jr’s Injury Progress and What It Means for Sunday
Thomas’ ankle injury occurred during the Week 9 overtime win against Las Vegas, where he exited late in regulation and was unable to continue into the extra period. ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported it as a “low-grade high ankle sprain,” a designation that still requires weeks of recovery because it directly compromises the push-off force receivers need to explode out of breaks.
The Jaguars immediately shut him down. He missed all practice work ahead of the Week 10 matchup with Houston and was ruled out on Friday. Week 11 brought his first signs of progress with three straight limited sessions before the Chargers game, but the Jaguars still kept him sidelined.
The same pattern followed in Week 12, with limited participation all week before he was ruled out and without a questionable tag.
That shift from questionable in Week 11 to an early ruling before Week 12 raised speculation about a setback, but nothing in the reporting suggests that happened. It appears that the Jaguars are simply waiting for him to complete his first full practice, something he has not done since the injury.
NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero delivered this week’s most important development, reporting that “there is a good chance” Thomas plays in Week 13 and adding, “I am told that Thomas is getting close. There is a good chance that he will be good to go next week against Tennessee.”
The Jaguars’ decision not to place him on injured reserve supports the belief that his recovery aligns with the typical four to six-week timeline for high ankle sprains.
Thomas’ production before the injury provides additional context. According to PFSN’s WR Impact metric, he posted a WR Impact Score of 67.9 for the 2025 season with a D+ grade and a season rank of 63.
The metric shows that through eight games, he recorded 60 targets, 30 receptions, 420 receiving yards, and one touchdown. His overall ranking of 548, dating back to 2019, reflects the inconsistencies that have shaped his sophomore slump.
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Still, a potential Week 13 return would give him six games to alter the season narrative and contribute to the Jaguars’ postseason aspirations. The first injury report on Wednesday will offer the clearest indication of his availability. A full practice would represent the turning point that coaches have been waiting for.
