The competition is over in Jacksonville.
Jaguars coach Gus Bradley told reporters Monday that Blaine Gabbert would start the regular season opener, officially ending the contest with Chad Henne.
Gabbert’s coming off his best performance in some time in Saturday’s preseason game against the Jets, a 13-of-16 performance that ended with a thumb injury.
Bradley said it was actually a hairline fracture, which would keep Gabbert out of the next two preseason games, but “it could have been a lot worse.” He won’t need surgery to repair the damage, and should be ready in two weeks.
Realistically, this was the choice the Jaguars had to make all along. While Gabbert’s done little to inspire confidence in two years, he was a first-round pick, and the Jags needed to find out once and for all if he can play. If he can’t, he’ll have the chance to prove that this year, and they can move on.