Jaguars announce injury update on Brian Thomas Jr. & his Week 2 status

The Jacksonville Jaguars received a scare involving one of their most important offensive players during Sunday's NFL Week 1 win over the Cleveland Browns . Brian Thomas Jr. left the game in the second quarter with a shoulder injury and initially was listed as questionable to return, creating immediate concern for a Jacksonville offense that had already jumped out to a big lead.

Fortunately, the latest update is much more encouraging than it initially appeared, and the Jaguars came away with a 34-10 victory over Cleveland.

Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr. (7) catches a pass during the first day of NFL Training Camp at the Miller Electric Center on Wednesday, July 29, 2026, in Jacksonville, Fla.

Thomas headed to the locker room with Jacksonville's medical staff after apparently injuring his shoulder. The Jaguars announced that he was questionable to return, and he had already made an impact before leaving, catching all three of his targets for 40 yards.

The good news came later in the second quarter when Thomas returned to the field. He was able to participate in the Jaguars' final drive of the first half, providing an important indication that the injury wasn't severe enough to keep him sidelined.

Thomas ultimately finished the afternoon with three catches for 40 yards, although he wasn't involved in any of Trevor Lawrence 's four touchdown passes.

The Jaguars will still be watching his shoulder

Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr. (7) rushes for yards during the second quarter of an NFL football matchup Sunday, Dec. 29, 2024 at EverBank Stadium in Jacksonville, Fla. The Jaguars held off the Titans 20-13. [Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Union] | Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Union / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

While Thomas' return is certainly encouraging, the shoulder remains something to monitor heading into Week 2.

The injury is particularly noteworthy because Thomas dealt with a shoulder issue during training camp. He suffered that earlier scare during a joint practice with Tampa Bay but recovered in time to become a full participant before the season opener.

Jacksonville certainly has plenty of weapons, with Parker Washington , Travis Hunter and Jakobi Meyers all capable of contributing. But Thomas remains one of the most important pieces of the offense and entered 2026 looking to bounce back from a disappointing second NFL season.

He also reached an impressive milestone Sunday, surpassing 2,000 career receiving yards and becoming the second-youngest player in Jaguars history to reach that mark.

For now, the biggest takeaway is simple: Thomas avoided what initially looked like a potentially serious injury and returned to finish the game. That should provide Jaguars fans and fantasy managers with plenty of optimism heading into Week 2.