Brian Thomas Jr. played a career-low 15 snaps in the Jacksonville Jaguars’ tough 34-31 loss to Houston at Wembley Stadium on Sunday. That number alone should tell you everything you need to know about where his third season is headed. After a Pro Bowl rookie year, the former 23rd overall pick is watching from the sideline as the Jaguars shift focus to other guys.
What Happened to the Pro Bowl Talent?
It’s a complete head-scratcher. Just two seasons ago, Thomas was a rookie sensation, pulling in 87 passes for 1,282 yards and 10 touchdowns, even making the Pro Bowl. Now? He was targeted twice against the Texans, failing to catch either. The first one was a clear drop on the opening series. The second? His cleats slipped out from under him at the end of the first half, completely blowing a chance to get the Jaguars into field goal range with seconds left. He didn’t even get back on the field for the second half, and get this, he declined to speak to reporters after the game. Coach Liam Coen didn’t mince words, saying confidence in Thomas was “week to week” and that “Guys have to step up and make plays.”
Honestly, it’s been a rough ride since that rookie year. In 2025, he only caught 48 receptions on 91 targets, a dismal 47.3% catch rate. He tied for second in the entire NFL with 10 drops, and that’s not even counting the times he short-armed attempts, stopped running, or even ducked from a pass in the end zone. He still managed 707 yards and two touchdowns, but it was a shadow of his former self. He acknowledged the death of his former college teammate, Kyren Lacy, in April 2025, weighed heavily on his mind, and those mounting drops absolutely crushed his confidence. He looked like he might turn it around this season, but then he dropped two more passes in Week 2 against Denver, and now he’s clearly landed himself in the doghouse.
New Faces Stepping Up Big Time
While Thomas watched, two other guys absolutely lit it up. Rookie Josh Cameron more than doubled Thomas’s time on the field against the Texans, playing 36 snaps. But the real standout was two-way star Travis Hunter. He played a season-high nine snaps on offense, ripping off four receptions for 59 yards and a touchdown. And if that wasn’t enough, he also grabbed an interception on defense, becoming just the fifth player in the Super Bowl era, including playoffs, to score a touchdown and intercept a pass in the same game. That’s some serious talent showing up when it counts. Hunter himself offered some support for Thomas, saying, “I’m right here with him whenever he needs help. Continue to uplift yourself no matter the circumstances you’re in, no matter the mental space you’re in right now, just continue to believe in yourself. You got to this point from being yourself and continue to just do that.” Even quarterback Trevor Lawrence tried to give some encouragement, stating, “This game is funny. It doesn’t always work exactly how you want it to. … The ball will find him. It will come his way. He’s too good of a player for it not to. Just keep working, which he’s done. So just keep showing up, and we’re going to get through it.”
Jaguars Still Fighting at 4-2, But Issues Remain
Despite the receiver drama, the Jaguars are still sitting at a respectable 4-2 record. They’re doing some things right, like their third-down conversions. Against Houston, they converted 7 of 12 attempts, pushing their season total to 47.9%. That ranks them third in the entire league, behind only San Francisco and Cincinnati. If they keep that up, it would be the highest conversion rate in the team’s 32-year history, a solid sign of growth for Lawrence in his second year in Coen’s system.
However, the defense needs a serious gut-check. They couldn’t get a single sack against Houston, and only notched one the previous week against Philadelphia. With a total of just 11 sacks on the season, they’re tied for 19th in the league. You can’t be a serious contender if you’re not getting pressure on the opposing quarterback.
So, what’s next for the Jaguars? They’re clearly banking on Hunter and Cameron to fill the void at receiver. The team needs to sort out their pass rush, and Lawrence’s continued development on third down is massive. If Thomas can’t find his confidence and his hands, his Pro Bowl rookie season is going to feel like a distant memory, and the Jaguars will continue to move on without him.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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