Jaguars’ Toby Gerhart returns to practice, hopes to play Thursday
Toby Gerhart was expected to return to practice Tuesday, and he did not disappoint. The Jacksonville Jaguars’ new running back is back to working on the field with the team. He missed the first preseason game and a handful of practices with a hip flexor issue.
Jaguars RB Toby Gerhart practicing today
— Mark Long (@APMarkLong) August 12, 2014
Jaguars head coach Gus Bradley didn’t rule him out for Thursday’s game. Gerhart went as far as saying that he expected to get 15 carries in the preseason game against the Bears, according to FOXSports1’s Alex Marvez. It would be Gerhart’s first outing for the team.
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The running back signed a three-year deal worth $10.5 million. The money indicates how important Adrian Peterson’s former backup is to his new team. The team elected to sign him after let runnings backs Maurice Jones-Drew and Rashad Jennings depart in free agency. The former Stanford Cardinal standout is built like an ox at 6-foot, 300 pounds. He averaged 7.9 yards per carry last season on 36 attempts. His competition at running back includes Jordan Toddman, Storm Johnson and Dennard Robinson, who led the Jagaurs in their first preseason game against the Buccaneers with 36 yards. Johnson led with nine carries.
As far as fantasy goes, Toby Gerhart continues to be a viable option. This injury shouldn’t deter fans from drafting him, as the hip injury won’t prevent him from playing week 1.
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