Jaguars TE Thomas leaves preseason opener with hand injury

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (AP) - Jacksonville Jaguars tight end Julius Thomas likely will miss the rest of the preseason with a broken right hand.

Coach Gus Bradley said Thomas has a ''stable fracture'' in the back of his hand.

The team initially reported Thomas injured his left hand, but Saturday morning said it was right.

''The good news is it's quick-healing,'' Bradley said after a 23-21 win over the Steelers. ''The tough thing is he's going to be out probably the rest of the preseason. Hopefully, if everything works out right, he'll be back ready for the first game.''

Thomas sustained the injury when Steelers cornerback William Gay tackled him on a 2-yard gain in the first quarter. It came on Jacksonville's second play of the preseason and Thomas' first game with the Jaguars since signing a five-year, $46 million contract that included $24 million guaranteed.

Thomas headed to the locker room for tests and did not return.

His injury left the Jaguars without their top two draft picks and top two free-agent acquisitions. First-round defensive end Dante Fowler Jr. (knee) is out for the season. Second-round running back T.J. Yeldon (hand) and free-agent defensive end Jared Odrick (knee) missed Saturday's game, but should return next week.

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This story has been corrected to show Thomas injured his right hand, not his left.

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