Overview
- Thomas landed on his left shoulder while hauling a deep pass from Trevor Lawrence during the first 11-on-11 play of Tuesday joint practice with the Buccaneers and was evaluated by trainers before sitting out the rest of the session.
- He briefly returned for one play after the check but was pulled to the sideline, watched the remainder of practice and did not go inside the Miller Electric Center for further testing.
- Coen described the injury as precautionary and said resting Thomas for Jacksonville’s preseason finale is a smart move to prepare him for Week 1 against the Cleveland Browns on Sept. 13.
- Missing late-August reps raises short-term stakes for Thomas because the Jaguars have a crowded receiver room led by Parker Washington, Jakobi Meyers and Travis Hunter, and those snaps give others a chance to climb the pecking order.
- Thomas’s situation matters beyond this injury because his 2024 Pro Bowl breakout and a down 2025 season have left his 2026 role under close scrutiny, so his health and limited late-camp reps will shape early target share and the team’s plans for his long-term development.