Jaguars wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr. struggled through the first two games of the season, but made a play in the latter end of the game that altered the Jaguars’ 17-10 victory over the Houston Texans. The play didn’t just win the match for the Jaguars, but it toasted the will of wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr., whose fourth-quarter heroics turned into a moment of destiny.

​Travis Hunter commented publicly after Sunday’s win regarding the superior work ethic that Thomas exhibited. After the game, during the press briefing, he was asked about how it was to have a teammate who had struggled to succeed at a crucial moment in the season and then come and perform like this. Hunter replied, “It’s just a confidence booster for all of the guys in the room. You know, we see him as a leader. You know, he is a thousand-yard receiver.” Thomas, in his rookie season, got 87 catches, 1,282 yards, and 10 touchdowns last year.

Hunter continued, “We expected him to be on top of his game every game and just to see him bounce back and block out all the noise and just go do his job and do what he’s supposed to do. It means a lot to the younger guys in the room.” Thomas fought through drops for a second consecutive week, caught a laser pass down the middle from quarterback Trevor Lawrence after the two-minute warning, and converted it into a 46-yard catch-and-run. The scoring play was the game-winner and displayed Thomas’s clutch character.

​So far in the 2025 season’s first two games, Thomas has been targeted 19 times and caught just five balls for 60 yards—no touchdowns. Week 2 at Cincinnati was particularly savage, catching four of 12 and struggling with drops, effort, and mistakes that led to questions about his consistency. The heroics in the latter stages against the Texans, however, redeemed and gave a shot of momentum to the veteran receiver and a lesson on perseverance to the team.

​Brian Thomas Jr.’s redemption arc underway

​Thomas’s scoop play startled his teammates and coaches. “It was like every time he had an opportunity to almost get things rolling, something negative occurred,” Coen said, speaking of his 46-yard catch-and-run. “So, just talked to him in the locker room and really proud of the way he finished. We have to get it cleaned up, but he should absolutely take confidence from that play and be able to continue to go forward.’’

​Lawrence also supported Thomas’ mental toughness: “Brian just did a great job of winning and making the play. That’s what I told him on the sideline.”

​Thomas himself spent some time figuring out the bigger lesson. “I had like a little skinny route. I ran my route and saw the safety shoot down. Trevor threw me the ball, and I took off with it. Trevor canned the play. I had a 10-yard in route and safety ended up driving on it, so I was able to catch the ball and make a play,” he clarified. His words reflected the grittiness and professionalism.

​The late-game pickoff not only sealed the win but also demonstrated Thomas’s ability to play effectively in moments where it mattered most. It will serve as a confidence-builder for young reserve players. On Sunday, he caught two passes for 55 yards from six targets, including a key drop on a third-and-3 from the Jaguars’ 32 early in the fourth quarter.