Jaguars’ Brian Thomas Jr. proves he's back with electric highlight-reel outing

After an electrifying rookie campaign, Brian Thomas Jr. got to a slow start to the 2025 season. Drops, in particular, were a issue. The sophomore wide receiver then suffered an ankle sprain that forced him to sit out three games. He's back in the fold and is making an impact for the Jacksonville Jaguars in the game against the Indianapolis Colts.

With Parker Washington ruled out of for the matchup, Thomas took on an expanded role and didn't waste an opportunity to remind everyone how much of a game-changer he can be in route to the 36-19 win over the dreaded divisonal foe.

Brian Thomas Jr. gave the Jaguars an element of verticality vs. the Colts

Earlty in the game, Brian Thomas Jr. had an 18-yard grab that helped the Jags move the chains and would later set a touchdwon grab by fellow receiver Jakobi Meyers.

Later in the first quarter, Thomas caught a one-handed pass for 39 yards that showed he can still stretch the field. He was just getting started, though. In the third quarter, the former LSU Tiger reeled in another catch for 30 yards.

Thomas finished the game with three catches for 87 yards and a jaw-dropping average of 29.0 yards per reception.

Brian Thomas Jr. needs to show his slow start with the Jaguars was a fluke

Before the game, Brian Thomas had just 32 receptions for 448 yards with one touchdown. He suffered an ankle sprain in the win over the Las Vegas Raiders that forced him to sit out three games. While it's never good to see players getting hurt, it's possible that the time away the football field helped him regain focus.

Granted, Thomas only had two catches for 28 yards on three targets in his return from injury last week. But with fellow receiver Parker Washington sitting out the Colts game, the 2024 first-round pick was saw an uptick in opportunities and didn't disappoint.

Brian Thomas Jr. completely changes the Jaguars offense

Following the win over Colts, head coach Liam Coen talked about the element of verticality Thomas provides to the offense.

"When you can attack every blade of grass is something that ultimately we want to be able to do, and to get BTJ going down the field vertically, some great throws and catches from those guys," Coen responded when asked why Trevor Lawrence had so much success throwing dowfield (1:23 mark). Tim Patrick made a few big plays down the field as well. That's a huge part of this game, is being able to stretch people vertically."

Coen continued, "So much of our past game has been a little bit more intermediate and trying to create more zones and catch and run and to make these guys just made plays today in a lot of ways like those weren't phenomenally schemed up plays. Those are our players going out and being special."

As Coen suggested, Lawrence mostly had success throwing to the middle of the field in recent weeks because Jakobi Meyers gave him a reliable target. But with Thomas showing his deep-threat capability once again, he was able to unlock another part of the offense.

Next, Brian Thomas Jr. must prove that he can play at a high level on a consistent basis. If he does, the Jaguars could be dangerous once they qualify for the postseason.