Fred Taylor ends season with thumb injury

JACKSONVILLE, Fla., Dec. 11 (UPI) -- Jacksonville Jaguars running back Fred Taylor will miss the team's last four games this season because he needs surgery on his left thumb.

Taylor suffered the injury during last Sunday's 23-10 loss in Chicago.

He finishes his 11th NFL season with 556 yards rushing on 143 carries with one touchdown.

"Trying to finish the year by playing wouldn't be smart at all," Taylor, 32, said Thursday at news conference. "I really think I can extend my career by doing the smart thing."

With 11,271 yards, the former University of Florida All-American is 16th on the NFL's all-time rushing list.

The emergence of Maurice Jones-Drew had led to Taylor's reduced role in the last two seasons.

In 2008, Jones-Drew has scored 11 times on 142 carries for 607 yards.

In the 2001 season, he played in only two games before sustaining a season-ending groin injury.

Jacksonville signed fourth-year free agent Alvin Pearman to fill Taylor's roster spot.