It has been a quiet couple of weeks for sensational Jaguars rookie wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr.
After averaging roughly four receptions for 72 yards over six targets per game in the first eight weeks of his debut NFL campaign, a stretch in which he scored five touchdowns, Thomas has been limited to seven targets, four catches, 34 yards and zero scores in Jacksonville’s last two games.
Granted, Thomas has played through a chest injury that he suffered in the last game he scored a touchdown, against the Green Bay Packers in Week 8.
However, Jacksonville head coach Doug Pederson has dismissed the notion that Thomas’ production is being limited by his injury.
Instead, Pederson has pointed toward the coverage Thomas has faced in the Jaguars’ recent matchups, largely Cover 3 Cloud in Week 9 against Philadelphia and a mix of traditional Cover 2 and Cover 3 Cloud versus Minnesota in Week 10.
Accordingly, Thomas often had two defenders dedicated to keeping him in check during these games.
“If you specifically watch the football game and not follow the ball, you will see what Philly did in kind of normal down situations. Some on third down as they had a corner and a safety. So, they basically doubled [Thomas],” Pederson explained on Nov. 4, noting the Eagles had not previously presented the coverage much throughout the season.
“It’s hard to throw the ball over there to a guy that’s doubled. So, you have to go other places with the ball. So that was part of their game plan.”
To pair, Pederson acknowledged that the Vikings’ impactful pass rush limited Thomas’ opportunities further in Week 10. Jaguars quarterback Mac Jones took three sacks and was pressured 10 times over 27 dropbacks on Sunday.
With Jaguars starting slot receiver Christian Kirk’s Week 8, season-ending shoulder injury in mind, perhaps opposing defenses are dedicating more resources to slowing Thomas down.
But Pederson believes the coverage attention Thomas has warranted can be navigated, by the coaching staff moving him around the offensive formation pre-snap and Thomas recognizing potential double-teams.
“I think you can put him in stacks, bunches. You can move him around the formation a little bit, do some things that way,” Pederson said Wednesday.
“The only downside to it is the offense has to be stationary at the snap so the defense can still move and get lined up as well. So do the best we can to move him around the formation, and then on Brian to obviously know that he’s going to be doubled at times. He’s just going to have to work to get himself free.”
Thomas’ next test will come against Detroit’s secondary on Sunday. The Lions have allowed 244.2 passing yards per game this season, the fifth-most in the NFL.
