JACKSONVILLE – Blaine Gabbert is the Jaguars' starting quarterback.
Gabbert, who had been competing with Chad Henne for the starting quarterback position in training camp and the preseason, was named the starter by Jaguars Head Coach Gus Bradley Monday, two days after a standout performance in the second preseason game.
"I thought he did a really good job through the entire process of staying mentally focused," Bradley said Monday.
Gabbert, the No. 10 overall selection in the 2011 NFL Draft, also sustained a "small hairline fracture" in his right thumb on his final play against the New York Jets Saturday, but Bradley said he expects Gabbert to be ready for the Jaguars' regular-season opener against Kansas City.
"In two weeks, he should have a chance to come back and begin his preparation," Bradley said.
Gabbert, who has split repetitions with the first-team offense with Henne in practices and in the two preseason games, had started the first two preseason games. He struggled statistically in the preseason opener against Miami, completing 5 of 10 passes for 19 yards and an interception while Henne completed 8 of 11 passes for 87 yards.
Bradley surprised some by starting Gabbert against the Jets Saturday, but the third-year veteran from Missouri turned in one of his best statistical games of his career.
Gabbert completed 13 of 16 passes for 165 yards and a touchdown in a quarter and a half, leading the Jaguars to scores on two of the three series on which he played.
He sustained the thumb injury on his final pass, an incompletion on which his hand collided with the hand of Jets defensive lineman Muhammad Wilkerson.
Henne replaced Gabbert, completing 4 of 10 passes for 30 yards and an interception.
"We have a great deal of confidence should his number be called," Bradley said of Henne.
