The Jacksonville Jaguars are facing mounting injury concerns ahead of their Week 10 divisional showdown with the Houston Texans. Rookie wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr. missed Wednesday's practice due to an ankle injury, adding to a growing list of absences on the team's injury report.
Thomas's injury comes at a critical time for Jacksonville's offense, which is already adjusting to recent roster changes and depth challenges. Head coach Doug Pederson and his staff now have several lineup decisions to make before Sunday's matchup at EverBank Stadium.
According to the team's official injury report, Brian Thomas Jr. was listed as "Did Not Participate" in Wednesday's session due to an ankle issue suffered in last week's game. The rookie wideout's status for Sunday remains uncertain, and his absence would deal a blow to Jacksonville's passing attack that's relied on his emerging chemistry with quarterback Trevor Lawrence.
Thomas isn't alone on the sidelines. Offensive guard Ezra Cleveland (knee/ankle), cornerback Jourdan Lewis (neck), and tight end Hunter Long (hip/knee) also did not practice. Meanwhile, wide receiver Dyami Brown (concussion) and linebacker Dennis Gardeck (chest) were limited participants, with both wearing orange non-contact jerseys during the workout.
There was some good news for the Jaguars, however. Linebacker Devin Lloyd (calf) and receiver Tim Patrick (groin) both practiced fully after missing previous games, signaling possible returns to the lineup. Tight end Quintin Morris (groin) and defensive lineman DaVon Hamilton (back) were also listed as full or limited participants, showing encouraging signs of progress.
The Jaguars have been forced to make roster adjustments amid the injury wave, including placing receiver/cornerback Travis Hunter on injured reserve last week and acquiring veteran Jakobi Meyers from the Las Vegas Raiders to stabilize the wide receiver group.
If Brian Thomas Jr. is unable to suit up against Houston, Jacksonville may need to rely more heavily on Jakobi Meyers and Tim Patrick in the passing game. The team could also turn to Dyami Brown if he clears concussion protocol in time.
Ezra Cleveland's absence would further test the Jaguars' offensive line depth, particularly against a Texans defensive front known for pressuring quarterbacks. On the other side of the ball, losing Jourdan Lewis in the secondary could leave the defense vulnerable to Houston's vertical passing attack led by C.J. Stroud.
Still, the return of Devin Lloyd provides some balance for a defense that has struggled to generate consistent pressure in recent weeks. His presence could help stabilize the linebacker unit and improve tackling efficiency in the open field.