Brian Thomas Jr.’s status has fantasy football managers holding their breath ahead of Week 11. The Jacksonville Jaguars receiver was a limited participant in practice, sparking optimism for a potential return. However, a lingering issue has kept him sidelined longer than expected.
His availability this week could drastically reshape the Jaguars’ passing attack and fantasy lineups alike.
Brian Thomas Jr. Injury Update
There was hope that Thomas Jr. would be able to return to the field for the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 11 after the second-year receiver logged limited practices throughout the week. Ultimately, the Jaguars elected to make him inactive on Sunday.
Thomas suffered a low-grade high-ankle sprain in Week 9, but he’s clearly on the cusp of returning. If Thomas is healthy, he becomes the unquestioned WR1 for the Jaguars’ passing attack. If he’s out, both Jakobi Meyers and Parker Washington will continue to operate as the team’s top pass catchers.
— PFSN Fantasy Football Analyst Dan Fornek
Thomas Jr. Fantasy Outlook
Thomas Jr. (Ankle) was never expected to play last week, but he’s trending toward a return. He missed consecutive games, and in that time, Jacksonville has added target competition (Jakobi Meyers) and gotten an encouraging display from a rookie (Bhayshul Tuten). It is banking on a return from another starter (Brenton Strange).
READ MORE: Soppe’s Week 12 Fantasy Football Start ‘Em Sit ‘Em: Analysis for Every Player in Every Game
In theory, this doesn’t precisely align with BTJ finding his form, but crazier things have happened. The Cardinals allowed 18+ PPR points to Hunter Renfrow and Calvin Ridley earlier in the season, two receivers with their own QB issues, so I don’t think it’s crazy to consider him as a WR3 this weekend, should he suit up as expected.
Suppose all reports indicate that all players are clean prior to this team traveling. In that case, I’ll have Thomas Jr. ranked as the WR1 in this offense and in that Jordan Addison/DK Metcalf tier of “I want to bet on the single play upside but am not sure your QB is up for it” receivers.
— PFSN Fantasy Football Analyst Kyle Soppe
