ESPN’s Ben Solak is already looking past Sunday’s Jaguars-Colts matchup when it comes to Brian Thomas Jr.
In Solak’s view, Jacksonville’s Week 8 game against Indianapolis could be Thomas’ final appearance in a Jaguars uniform. He made the same call on the Colts side, predicting Jonathan Taylor’s last game with Indianapolis as well.
"I'm predicting that both playmakers will take their final snaps with the teams that drafted them Sunday," Solak wrote. "With another loss, the Colts could probably move Taylor for two Day 2 picks. Meanwhile, another empty stat line for Thomas leads him to ... the Chiefs?"
That kind of speculation has picked up because Thomas’ role in the Jaguars offense has been shrinking. His usage has dropped steadily since the start of the season, and it hit a low point in Week 6, when he was on the field for just 15 offensive snaps.
The numbers have been just as stark. Thomas has only nine catches this season, and he hasn’t recorded a reception in either of the Jaguars’ last two games.
Trade chatter around Thomas is nothing new. Since last year’s deadline, his name has been floating around the rumor mill, even though the Jaguars have consistently said they are not moving him.
Still, the noise has only grown louder. The Ringer’s Tom Pelissero posted on X on Saturday that Thomas’ "recent benching and ongoing struggles have ramped up belief within the league that Jacksonville will move him by the deadline."
On Monday, Coen pushed back on the idea that Thomas is fading out of the picture, saying, "He's going to be able to help us make plays this week."
Even with that vote of confidence, there’s still a real question about where Thomas Jr. fits in Jacksonville’s offense right now.
In Other News...
Jaguars Are Rolling At Home But One New Concern Just Loomed
The Jaguars kept their home dominance rolling against the Colts, and the latest win only added to what has become a striking pattern in Jacksonville. It was their seventh straight home victory by 17 or more points, a run that ties for the third-longest in NFL history, and they have topped 30 points in all three home games this season.
But the bigger concern coming out of Sunday was the injury list. Eric Murray, Ezra Cleveland and DaVon Hamilton all got hurt during the game, and Hamiltons knee issue looked especially troubling as the Jaguars head into a short week. Jacksonville now has to turn around quickly for Thursday nights matchup with the Ravens, a test made even more complicated by Baltimores own quarterback injury situation. [Read more 🡒]
Jaguars Crushed The Colts But Left Fans With One Big Worry
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But the victory came with a cost that could linger beyond Week 8. Davon Hamilton, Eric Murray, Ezra Cleveland and Travon Walker all went down with injuries during the game, leaving the Jaguars with a postgame concern that could matter far more than the final score if those absences stretch into the coming weeks. [Read more 🡒]
Jaguars Get A Needed WR Boost Before A Huge Colts Test
The Jaguars got a welcome bit of clarity before a pivotal AFC South matchup, with the Week 8 inactive list showing Jakobi Meyers available against the Colts despite the earlier injury concern. His presence gives Jacksonville another option in the passing game alongside Parker Washington, and it comes at a time when the offense could use as many dependable targets as possible heading into a divisional test.
Several other players are on the inactive list, so the roster picture is not entirely clean, but the biggest takeaway for Jacksonville is that Meyers is in uniform for a game that carries real weight in the standings. Trevor Lawrence has already voiced confidence in what this group can be, and now the Jaguars get a chance to back that up with a healthier receiving setup in front of a key home stretch. [Read more 🡒]