Jaguars expect Brian Thomas Jr. to play at Denver despite shoulder injury

The Jaguars came out of their season-opening win over Cleveland with one injury worth watching — and a coach who does not expect it to cost them their top receiver.

Liam Coen told reporters Monday that wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr. will be limited in practice this week with the shoulder injury that forced him from Sunday's win over the Browns. But the Jaguars head coach does not expect the injury to keep Thomas out of Sunday's game at Denver: "I fully imagine him being able to play this game, no issues, just might not be able to get hit throughout the week or something."

Thomas left the win over Cleveland due to the injury and finished with three catches for 40 yards. The 22-year-old entered the season as Jacksonville's undisputed No. 1 target and the headliner of a passing game quarterback Trevor Lawrence leaned on throughout the opener.

The plan — limited practice work, no contact, then a full go on Sunday in Denver — keeps the receiver on track for Week 2 while protecting the shoulder from a mid-week setback. The bottom line for Jacksonville is simple: Thomas is the most important offensive player on the roster outside the quarterback, and the Jaguars expect him on the field Sunday.

Coen had one more injury note from his Monday press conference: defensive end BJ Green is expected to miss the Broncos game with an elbow injury, leaving the Jaguars thin on the edge for Denver.