JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- Jacksonville Jaguars tight end Julius Thomas will have surgery on Wednesday to repair ligament damage in his right hand.
Thomas, a Pro Bowler for the past two seasons, made the decision after seeking a second opinion from an independent doctor on Tuesday.
The surgery is expected to sideline him until Week 4.
Thomas suffered a fractured bone in his hand in the preseason opener, but the Jaguars had expected him to be ready for their regular-season opener.
He wore a cast for two weeks and had further tests Monday, which revealed the ligaments that anchor his middle finger to his hand were not tightening as quickly as hoped.