The Jaguars' prized offseason acquisition may be out of action for the first month of the season. ESPN's Adam Schefter reports tight end Julius Thomas could undergo surgery on a tendon in his finger, which would probably sideline him for the first four or five weeks of the regular season. He is going for a second opinion Tuesday, per GM David Caldwell.
Jaguars TE Julius Thomas could be out a month due to finger surgery
Thomas injured his finger in Jacksonville’s first preseason game, and he might have just experienced a major setback less than two weeks before the start of the season.
Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports
UPDATE: Looks like Thomas will undergo the surgery after getting a second opinion.
Following his doctor’s visit, #Jaguars TE Julius Thomas will have surgery on his injured finger tomorrow, source said. Could be out a month
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) September 1, 2015 This is an unexpected setback for Thomas, as ESPN reported Monday he was on track to play in Jacksonville’s season opener against Carolina on Sept. 13. Thomas suffered this finger injury in the Jaguars’ first preseason game earlier this month when he was flipped over after coming down with a catch on Jacksonville’s second offensive snap.
The Jaguars inked Thomas to a five-year, $46 million deal this offseason with $24 million guaranteed. Thomas notched 24 touchdown catches over the last two years with the Broncos, the most of any tight end in that span of time. He had a monstrous 2013 campaign, catching 65 passes for 788 yards and 12 touchdowns. Thomas' performance tailed off a bit last year, but he still found the end zone a dozen times.
Veteran tight end Marcedes Lewis would probably take the bulk of Thomas’ snaps if he is out for any extended period of time. Lewis caught a pass for 7 yards in Jacksonville’s preseason opener, and came down with three receptions last week for 51 yards.
Jacksonville was hoping Thomas would emerge as a reliable target for second-year quarterback Blake Bortles, who was sacked a league-high 55 times in his rookie campaign. It could still work out that way, but it just might take a little time.
See More:
