National Football League

Jaguars QB Gabbert to start opener

Published Sep. 8, 2013 1:00 a.m. ET

foxsports

Blaine Gabbert will start at quarterback in Jacksonville's season opener against Kansas City.

Gabbert had been listed as questionable for Sunday's game because of a hairline fracture in his right thumb. Gabbert injured his grip finger in a preseason game Aug. 17.

Team doctors initially said he would be ready for the opener, but the coaching staff declined to name him the starter. Instead, coach Gus Bradley wanted to wait and see how Gabbert performed in pregame warm-ups before making a final call.

Weather also was a determining factor. The Jaguars wanted to avoid having Gabbert throw a wet football, but the forecast called for a 10 percent chance of rain Sunday.

Gabbert is 5-19 as a starter.