Jacksonville Jaguars undrafted rookie Bryan Thomas Jr., a defensive end from South Carolina, made a significant impact in the team’s preseason Week 3 game on Saturday, August 29, against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Thomas recorded four tackles, four pressures, and 2.5 sacks in the 19-0 victory, building on his strong preseason performance.
Thomas entered the game with seven tackles, five pressures, and a sack from his previous two preseason contests. His first sack on Friday came when he bypassed offensive lineman Elijah Klein to bring down Buccaneers quarterback Jalon Daniels, ending a Tampa Bay drive. He later executed another quarterback takedown by swimming past Klein on the inside and contributed a half-sack in the final quarter through sheer effort.
The Jaguars rested many starters throughout the preseason, which provided opportunities for players like Thomas to demonstrate their abilities. His consistent performance has raised questions about whether there will be room for him on the final roster, especially given the presence of wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr. on the team.
For the Buccaneers, quarterback Jalon Daniels, an undrafted free agent, started the preseason finale but struggled to capitalize on his opportunity to secure the backup role behind Baker Mayfield. Daniels completed 8 of 15 passes for 57 yards over seven drives, with his only possession not ending in a punt being cut short by a fumbled snap. This performance marked a downturn after he had previously impressed, completing 19 of 29 passes for 182 yards and a touchdown, along with 28 rushing yards and a score on 10 carries in his first two appearances. Jake Browning, another quarterback, also had a difficult outing, completing 2 of 4 passes for 2 yards over three possessions, with penalties hindering some drives. Despite his struggles, Browning might still be considered for the backup position due to his veteran status.
