Brian Thomas Jr. Suffers Shoulder Injury at Practice, Status Updated by Jaguars' Liam Coen

Jacksonville Jaguars head coach Liam Coen offered an update on the shoulder injury that led to wideout Brian Thomas Jr. missing the remainder of Tuesday's practice.

"I think it's alright," he told reporters. "Just came down on his shoulder. Holding him out was smart, keep him out and then get him going for Cleveland."

There are plenty of questions regarding Thomas heading into the 2026 season.

After an epic rookie campaign in 2024 (87 catches for 1,282 yards and 10 touchdowns), big things were expected last season. But as any fantasy football enthusiast could tell you, Thomas instead struggled, managing just 48 catches for 707 yards and two touchdowns across 14 games.

One explanation was that the system Coen and offensive coordinator Grant Udinski brought with them in 2025 didn't suit Thomas' skill set as much as the one employed by head coach Doug Pederson and offensive coordinator Press Taylor in 2024. The Jaguars eventually adjusted his role in the offense, employing him more on the outside later in the season, which seemed to help.

"Just growing, getting better with the offense," Thomas told reporters in February. "It took a little time, but yeah, for sure, I definitely think [I hit a stride]... Just got more comfortable and just was able to go out there and play a little bit more."

Thomas also battled some injury and drop issues during the season, and at times he and quarterback Trevor Lawrence didn't seem to quite be on the same page. But he's still expected to be a major part of the offense in 2026.

The Jaguars have a lot of options in the passing game, however, are pretty loaded at the position. In Thomas, Parker Washington, Jakobi Meyers and Travis Hunter, the Jags have one of the deepest wideout groups in the sport.

But a healthy and revitalized Thomas makes the Jags all the more dynamic. That will make this latest shoulder injury one to monitor heading into a Week 1 matchup against the Cleveland Browns.