Brian Thomas 'Needs to Have a Better Week' amid Struggles, Jaguars' Liam Coen Says

The Jacksonville Jaguars are counting on wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr. to be one of the offensive leaders this season, but things have gotten off to a less-than-ideal start for the LSU product.

Head coach Liam Coen believes Thomas needs to "have a better week" going into the upcoming divisional game against the Houston Texans following a poor showing in Sunday's 31-27 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals.

"We're going to have a conversation here shortly," Coen told reporters Monday (30-second mark)." Ultimately, I know he's got a couple things going on, had a wrist injury going into the game. Did that play a part in some of the stuff? I've got to go talk to him. But I think he's aware of it and needs to have a better week this week. He understands what's at stake and what's going on, and we need to get to the root of it."

Thomas finished with just four catches for 49 yards on 12 targets. 

Yet it wasn't just the lack of production that stood out. He short-armed multiple passes, one of which resulted in an interception and another of which appeared to cost his team a touchdown. He also had an important drop near the goal line.

"On numerous occasions, the second-year receiver shied away from making tough catches in traffic, had some key drops and didn't appear to be on the same page with quarterback Trevor Lawrence," Austin Nivison of CBS Sports pointed out.

Jacksonville never put Cincinnati away even though Joe Burrow was sidelined by injury, and Jake Browning took advantage by directing the winning touchdown drive in the final minute.

▶️ Full Jaguars-Bengals Recap

05:42

Thomas also didn't live up to expectations in the Week 1 win over the Carolina Panthers when he finished with just one catch for 11 yards on seven targets, although he at least added a rushing touchdown.

Perhaps the wrist injury has been a contributing factor to his slow start, but he was seen as the clear-cut No. 1 wide receiver in the offense heading into the campaign. And he hasn't played like it just yet, although turning things around against a divisional foe would be a welcome development in Jacksonville.