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Jacksonville Jaguars' Brian Thomas Jr. needs to see more of the football vs. Detroit Lions
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- Jacksonville Jaguars' Brian Thomas Jr. needs to see more of the football vs. Detroit Lions
The Jacksonville Jaguars need to do something to get rookie receiver Brian Thomas Jr. the football.
Offensive coordinator Press Taylor said as much during his Thursday media availability. After Thomas started the season with a blaze, he's only seen seven targets in the last two games combined.
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Through the first eight games of the year, he caught 33 passes for 573 yards and five touchdowns. But in the last two weeks, Thomas has five catches for 34 yards and no touchdowns.
Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr. (7) reacts to his first down pickup during the second quarter of an NFL football matchup Sunday, Oct. 27, 2024 at EverBank Stadium in Jacksonville, Fla. [Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Union]
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"I think the biggest thing is continuing to try to give him those opportunities," Taylor said.
Head coach Doug Pederson mentioned how teams have begun to guard Thomas, keeping a safety over the top in addition to the cornerback in front of him. But still, the Jaguars have to find a way to get him the ball.
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"We've got to continue to give him opportunities because like we say every week, he is dynamic for us," Taylor said. "He needs opportunities to get the football."
Thomas has been nominated for Rookie of the Week four times already this season and is tied with former college teammate Malik Nabers for most rookie receiving yards this year.
He's already emerged as the top pass catching target for Jacksonville's offense. But he isn't big-headed or vocal about his lack of involvement over the last few weeks.
Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr. (7) is introduced before an NFL football matchup Sunday, Sept. 15, 2024 at EverBank Stadium in Jacksonville, Fla. The Browns defeated the Jaguars 18-13. [Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Union]
"He is just a cool customer. No highs, no lows with him," Taylor said. "He's a competitor. ... He never shows emotion one way or the other in terms of he's frustrated, he's excited. He just comes to work every single day."
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With a versatile defense in the Detroit Lions on tap, the young pass catcher is going to be relied upon to get the Jaguars out of the rut that they're in.
Down quarterback Trevor Lawrence , wide receiver Christian Kirk and potentially running back Tank Bigsby , Thomas is going to need to have a strong game for Jacksonville.
Taylor and company are going to have to keep giving him opportunities to showcase why he was a first-round draft pick.
"That's been the really cool thing about watching him grow and getting to know him really," Taylor said of Thomas. "Just the professional approach from such a young player to keep thriving and keep moving forward at this point in the season."
This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Jacksonville Jaguars OC Press Taylor talks WR Brian Thomas Jr. targets
