JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Jaguars quarterback Blaine Gabbert will miss the rest of the preseason with a hairline fracture in his right thumb that he sustained in Saturday night's game against the New York Jets.
Gabbert has, however, been named the starting QB for the season opener against the Kansas City Chiefs, as he is expected to return by then.
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Head coach Gus Bradley said he does not need surgery. In the meantime, Gabbert is wearing a hard splint on his thumb as he recovers.
As for being named the starter, Bradley cited Gabbert's performance thus far. The third-year player went 13 for 16 for 165 yards and a touchdown against the Jets.
"We have conviction with our decision," Bradley said. "Blaine has earned this opportunity and we're excited about his growth."
"He has taken ownership of the offense as far as understanding it. He has command on what we're looking to get done."
Bradley said the coaches could have tried to name a starting quarterback earlier, "but we wanted to have strong conviction when we did it."