Aug 22, 2015; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; Jacksonville Jaguars running back Toby Gerhart (21) rushes the ball against the New York Giants defense during the first half at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Danny Wild-USA TODAY Sports
An abdominal strain will keep Jacksonville Jaguars running back Toby Gerhart out of the team's preseason game against the Detroit Lions on Friday night.
Gerhart, who converted three first downs on third-and-short situations last Saturday against the New York Giants, is expected to be ready for Jacksonville's Sept. 13 season-opener against the Carolina Panthers.
"It's a strain, so he needs time this week and next week," Jaguars head coach Gus Bradley said, per the Florida Times-Union. "We'll see how it goes, but he should be ready for Week 1. … We're relieved it isn't a sports hernia or anything that would have kept him out for quite a while."
The 28-year Gerhart, in his second season with the Jaguars, is looking to bounce back from a disappointing 2014, where he dealt with a nagging foot injury and ran for just 326 yards and two touchdowns. The six-year-veteran said he's been pleased with Jacksonville's work in the running game during the preseason.
"We've been getting a good push," Gerhart said. "Everybody has been assignment sound and is moving guys off the ball. It's a mindset. It's something we've all bought into. We want to be physical, aggressive and you're not going to stop us. We have that mindset that we're going to get this no matter what."
Also ruled out of Friday's game were tight end Julius Thomas, wide receivers Marqise Lee, Neal Sterling, and Greg Jenkins, cornerbacks Peyton Thompson and Demetrius McCray, strong safety Johnathan Cyprien, offensive lineman Josh Wells, and linebacker LaRoy Reynolds.
(h/t Florida Times-Union)
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