Julius Thomas injury: Jaguars TE could have surgery per report

According to a report by Adam Schefter, Jacksonville Jaguars tight end Julius Thomas might not be ready to go for the season opener against the Carolina Panthers after all.

Jaguars' TE Julius Thomas expected to need surgery on tendon in his finger and is expected to miss 4-5 weeks, per source. 2nd opinion Tues.

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) August 31, 2015

Julius injured a tendon in his hand in during week one of the preseason against the Steelers, and has not seen the field since. Missing 4-5 additional weeks puts Julius on a timeline to make his regular season debut during Week 3 against the New England Patriots or Week 4 against the Indianapolis Colts.

Thomas was a high priority target for the Jaguars during the offseason, showcasing his pass catching ability during OTA practices and training camp. While Thomas' early-season absence is disappointing, it's worth pointing out that the Jaguars have no shortage of pass catching tight ends on the roster. Greg Olson's scheme leans heavily on these tight ends, and so far, Blake Bortles has established a visible connection with each one of them.

Marcedes Lewis and Clay Harbor will remain primary targets early in the season, should Julius Thomas go through with the surgery.

UPDATE: Thomas will, indeed, have surgery and miss around 4-5 weeks.

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