JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- Jaguars punter Chris Hanson will miss

the rest of the season after gashing his leg with an ax while

chopping a log in the locker room in what was supposed to be a

motivational stunt.

Hanson was put on the reserve list for non-football injuries

Friday.

Unlike players who are placed on injured reserve, those on the

non-football list don't necessarily have to be paid by their teams.

But the Jaguars said they will give Hanson his $375,000 salary.

Hanson, the team's only Pro Bowl player last season, needed

emergency surgery to repair damage to his right, non-kicking leg.

He could be ready to kick again before the end of the season, but

the Jaguars decided they couldn't afford the roster spot, so they

decided to end his season.

Jacksonville signed Mark Royals, formerly of the Dolphins, to

punt and hold for kicks. Royals was cut by Miami last month.

The embarrassing injury turned Hanson and the Jaguars into

national laughingstocks, a prime topic of conversation on radio

shows and in Internet chat rooms. The log Hanson was working on was

put in the locker room at the behest of coach Jack Del Rio, who

used the mantra "keep chopping wood" to inspire his players when

they got off to an 0-3 start.

"I'll find another slogan," Del Rio said. "The message was

understood."

While the ax was removed shortly after the injury Thursday, the

log remained in the locker room Friday.

Before the ax was removed, several players did, in fact, take

Del Rio seriously and chop the wood. Hanson got hurt while the

position players were in meetings Thursday morning.

Hanson, who will be in a boot for four to six weeks, had not

returned to the team as of Friday.

"We enjoyed it while it lasted," tight end Kyle Brady said of

having the ax in the locker room. "But obviously, something bad

happened yesterday with it, so it had to go."

Royals had played in 211 straight games until the Dolphins

released him two weeks ago. He averaged 40.2 yards a punt in the

first three games.

"I was surprised when I got the call, especially the nature of

the injury," Royals said. "You don't hear about that every day. I

feel bad for Chris. I know him well. He's a great guy. He's had

some unfortunate luck the last few years of his life."

In June 2002, Hanson, his wife and former Jaguars kicker Jaret

Holmes were severely burned while they were making fondue at

Hanson's house, and the fondue pot overturned.

Hanson didn't miss any playing time, however, because the

accident happened in the offseason.