Jaguars QB Blaine Gabbert sprains thumb on throwing hand

Despite getting off to a tremendous start in Saturday night’s preseason game with the Jets, Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Blaine Gabbert leaves New York with more questions than answers.

Gabbert exited the game in the second quarter as a result of a sprained right (throwing) thumb, and he never returned to action. On one hand, Jacksonville issued a statement announcing that former University of Michigan and Miami Dolphins quarterback Chad Henne was expected to take over the quarterbacking duties anyway, but the timing was more than mysterious.

Before he left the game, Gabbert was an ultra-efficient 13 of 16 passing on the night, and he threw for 165 yards with 1 touchdown and zero interceptions. It was, by far, the best performance for Gabbert in a Jacksonville uniform (including both regular and pre-season), and with the 23-year-old immersed in a battle with Henne for the reins, his performance could have been a big swing in the competition.

The Jaguars seem to be incredibly positive concerning Gabbert’s injury, but it is tough to tell whether that is post-game bluster or actually grounded in factual information. At any rate, we will know more about his status once the team returns to Jacksonville, and if he is 100% healthy, Gabbert’s performance on Saturday night may have placed him firmly in pole position to be the starting quarterback for Jacksonville.