JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - Blaine Gabbert's season came to an abrupt end Wednesday, two days after his tenure as a starting quarterback did the same.
The Jacksonville Jaguars placed Gabbert on injured reserve because of a significant forearm injury. Gabbert may have been able to return this season, but since he needs surgery to repair a torn labrum in his non-throwing shoulder, the Jaguars (1-9) figured it was best to get the procedure done and get his recovery started.
"The earlier we can take care of him, the earlier we are going to get him back," coach Mike Mularkey said. "That had a lot to do with why we did what we did."
Even before Mularkey knew the severity of Gabbert's injury, he named Chad Henne the starter for Sunday's game against Tennessee (4-6). The coach made it clear his decision was based on Henne's performance and not Gabbert's injury.
That was somewhat of a surprise, but Mularkey dropped an even bigger one Wednesday when he said Henne could secure the starting job going into next season by playing well over the final six games.
So the Jaguars appear ready to move on from Gabbert, a first-round draft pick who failed to show much progress in 24 starts. He has completed 53.7 percent of his passes for 3,876 yards, with 21 touchdowns and 17 interceptions. He has been sacked 62 times while winning just five starts.
"You can't worry about that," Gabbert said. "There's always going to be competition on any football team at any position in any given season. It's my job to come back and work my tail off like I will and like I have and get my job back. I'm a competitive person. I'm probably one of the more of the competitive guys out there.
"I want to see other people succeed, but at the same time, personally, you have to want to succeed yourself. And that's why you have to that competitive drive to come in here and now just take that drive towards rehab and getting back healthy."