Brian Thomas Jr. Fantasy Hub: Week 10 Injury Update, Start/Sit Advice, Projections, and More

The Jacksonville Jaguars will face the Minnesota Vikings in Week 10. Here’s the latest fantasy football news and advice to help you with your lineups this week and moving forward, especially regarding WR Brian Thomas Jr.

Is Brian Thomas Jr. Playing in Week 10?

Jacksonville’s rookie wideout Brian Thomas Jr. (chest) was a game-time decision for Week 9, but the first-round pick ended up playing in the club’s loss to the Eagles on Sunday. While he was on the field for 91% of the Jags’ offensive snaps, Thomas posted his worst game of the season, catching just two passes for 22 yards.

Thomas was limited for every practice leading up to Week 10. Barring a setback over the weekend, he should be good to go against the Vikings on Sunday.

Thomas ranks first among rookie receivers in yards (595), receiving touchdowns (five), and yards per route run (2.40); he’s second to Malik Nabers in receptions (35).

We’ll continue to monitor the Jaguars’ injury report. You can also visit and bookmark our NFL Injury Tracker and Fantasy News Tracker for the latest updates.

Should You Start or Sit Brian Thomas Jr. in Week 10?

Brian Thomas Jr. entered Week 9 as a game-time decision (chest), and while he assumed his normal role (90.2% snap share), he made little impact in the loss to the Eagles and even less in your fantasy box score (two catches for 22 yards). I’m willing to give him a health pass here, though the floor is concerning if you’re planning on trying to ride this rookie to a title (three finishes outside of the top 40 receivers).

Thomas has seen an end-zone target in four straight games, no small accomplishment in a below-average offense. Only three times has a first-round rookie seen an end-zone look in five straight games (Justin Jefferson, Garrett Wilson, and Jaxon Smith-Njigba), a list Thomas could join this week if Trevor Lawrence looks his way in a jump ball situation with the Vikings bringing an exotic blitz.

Through nine weeks, it is clear that Thomas is the second-most-valuable rookie receiver in our game. While that lands him as a starter in most formats, he still is a first-year player, and this offense is still inconsistent (he’s Malik Nabers with less volume).

Are you looking for start/sit advice for other players in your lineup? Read our Week 10 Fantasy Start-Sit Advice Cheat Sheet for every fantasy-relevant player in every game.

Brian Thomas’ Jr. Fantasy Points Projection in Week 10

As of Sunday, Thomas is projected to score 13.8 fantasy points in PPR formats. This includes 2.7 receptions for 82 yards and 0.5 touchdowns.

Check out the free PFN Fantasy Start-Sit Optimizer for the latest projections and advice for your lineups this week.

PFN Insight on the Vikings’ Defense

After a poor performance in Week 8, the Minnesota Vikings bounced back in Week 9 with their fourth top-five performance this season. The problem for them has been reinforcing those strong performances with another the following week, so they will be looking to do that in Week 10.

The Vikings have been strong across most metrics and have been particularly good at turning people over this season. That comes in part thanks to their ability to get pressure without sending extra players. It has not resulted in huge sack numbers, but it has forced more rushed throws, which have resulted in more interceptions. Their biggest concern will be ranking 23rd in red-zone defense, with a 61.9% touchdown rate allowed.

Do you want more insight on all other defensive units across the NFL? Head over to our PFN Defense+ Rankings for analysis on all 32 teams.

Brian Thomas’ Fantasy Ranking

Our Weekly Consensus PPR Rankings are below — both positional and overall. They were last updated at 11:45 PM ET on Saturday, January 25. 

Conference Championship WR PPR Rankings

1) A.J. Brown | PHI (vs. WAS)
2) Terry McLaurin | WAS (at PHI)
3) DeVonta Smith | PHI (vs. WAS)
4) Khalil Shakir | BUF (at KC)
5) Xavier Worthy | KC (vs. BUF)
6) Hollywood Brown | KC (vs. BUF)
7) DeAndre Hopkins | KC (vs. BUF)
8) Keon Coleman | BUF (at KC)
9) Dyami Brown | WAS (at PHI)
10) Mack Hollins | BUF (at KC)
11) Amari Cooper | BUF (at KC)
12) Curtis Samuel | BUF (at KC)
13) Olamide Zaccheaus | WAS (at PHI)
14) JuJu Smith-Schuster | KC (vs. BUF)
15) Jahan Dotson | PHI (vs. WAS)
16) Jamison Crowder | WAS (at PHI)
17) Luke McCaffrey | WAS (at PHI)
18) Justin Watson | KC (vs. BUF)
19) Johnny Wilson | PHI (vs. WAS)
20) Parris Campbell | PHI (vs. WAS)
21) Nikko Remigio | KC (vs. BUF)
22) Ainias Smith | PHI (vs. WAS)

Minnesota Vikings at Jacksonville Jaguars Insights

Minnesota Vikings

Team: The Vikings have been sacked on 10.4% of their dropbacks, the second-highest rate in the league (Browns: 11.3%).

QB: After returning from an ugly London performance (14-of-31 against the Jets), Sam Darnold has completed 68-of-86 passes (79.1%).

Offense: The Vikings have been trailing for a league-low 16% of their offensive snaps (the Chargers are the only other team under 25.8% this season).

Defense: Take your shots deep – no team has seen opponents throw 15-plus yards downfield more times per game this season (9.1 per game).

Fantasy: T.J. Hockenson played only 45.1% of the snaps on Sunday, his season debut (2023: 79.6%), but he did post an 11.5-yard aDOT (2023: 7.6).

Betting: The Vikings are 7-2-2 ATS (77.8%) in their 11 road games.

Jacksonville Jaguars

Team: Jacksonville is 2-7 with five losses coming by five or fewer points.

QB: Trevor Lawrence’s passer rating, completion percentage, and touchdown-to-interception ratio when not pressured are all tracking down for a second straight season.

Offense: The Jaguars average 0.67 plays of 50-plus yards per game this season, trailing only the Ravens’ 0.78 mark.

Defense: Jacksonville is allowing a first down on 39.1% of passes, the second-highest rate in the league (worse: Panthers).

Fantasy: Parker Washington earned a 20% target share and racked up 103 air yards. Jacksonville is an underdog or favored by fewer than two points in seven of their final eight games, a game script that makes this waiver wire add an interesting option coming down the stretch.

Betting: Unders are 10-3 in the Jaguars last 13 games when being installed as a home underdog.