Brian Thomas Jr. Injury Update: Will Fantasy Managers Get the Jaguars WR Back Week 12?

The Jacksonville Jaguars travel to Arizona for their Week 12 matchup against the Cardinals looking to build on their dominant 35-6 victory over the Los Angeles Chargers. Brian Thomas Jr. continues dealing with the ankle injury that has kept him out of the past two games. Will fantasy football managers get their top receiver back 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 that Thomas is dealing with a low-grade high ankle sprain, though the “low-grade” designation doesn’t diminish the fact that high ankle sprains still need plenty of rest and can be painful.​

Thomas has clearly progressed in his recovery over the past two weeks. He did not practice at all ahead of the team’s Week 10 divisional matchup against the Houston Texans and was ruled out on Friday. However, he returned to the practice field last week and got in three limited sessions ahead of Week 11, drawing a questionable tag on Friday’s injury report.​

The fact that Thomas practiced all three days last week suggests he was close to playing against the Chargers. However, the Jaguars exercised caution and held him out for another week. His participation throughout the week represented an encouraging sign for a potential return, even though he ultimately remained sidelined.​

Thomas will likely be limited when practice opens on Wednesday this week. If we see a full practice at any point during the week, it would almost guarantee he plays against Arizona. The progression from no practice in Week 10 to three limited sessions in Week 11 demonstrates he’s trending in the right direction.​

High ankle sprains are notorious for lingering and affecting a player’s ability to cut and accelerate. These injuries affect a player’s ability to push off, making them particularly problematic for wide receivers who rely on explosive movements and sharp route-running. The Jaguars’ cautious approach last week suggests they want Thomas fully healthy rather than rushing him back at less than 100 percent.​

Thomas Fantasy Outlook

In Thomas’ absence, Parker Washington was supposed to thrive, but he’s been quite disappointing. Washington got by in Week 10 against Houston by catching a touchdown and returning a punt for another score, but only managed three catches for 33 yards through the air. His 73-yard punt return touchdown salvaged his fantasy day, as did his 7-yard receiving touchdown.​​

In the Jaguars’ Week 11 blowout victory over the Chargers, Washington took a total backseat to Jakobi Meyers despite leading Jacksonville’s wideouts with 54 offensive snaps. Washington saw just two targets, catching both for 20 yards.

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Meyers led the team in Week 11 with five receptions for 64 yards on six targets. The veteran operated as the Jaguars’ WR1 in Thomas’ absence and finished Sunday’s contest leading both teams in receptions and yards.

Meyers was acquired from the Las Vegas Raiders before the Week 10 trade deadline to help address Jacksonville’s depleted receiving corps. Through his first two games as a Jaguar, Meyers has an 8-105-0 line on nine targets.​

Tim Patrick hauled in the Jaguars’ lone touchdown pass from Trevor Lawrence against the Chargers, finishing with three catches on four targets for 20 yards and a score. Lawrence attempted just 22 passes in the blowout victory, limiting opportunities for all pass catchers.​

Whenever Thomas returns, he will resume his role as the clear top option in this passing game. His volume will immediately reduce Meyers’ target share, while Washington’s involvement will shrink even further. Thomas has demonstrated big-play ability when healthy, though he has struggled with consistency this season, catching only 50% of his targets with seven dropped passes through eight games.​