Toby Gerhart Injury: Updates on Jaguars RB's Ribs and Return

Jacksonville Jaguars running back Toby Gerhart exited his team's Week 16 game against the Tennessee Titans on Thursday with a rib contusion. He is active for Week 17.

Continue for updates.

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Gerhart Active for Week 17

Sunday, Dec. 28

The Jaguars revealed that Gerhart will play in Sunday's game against Houston.

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Gerhart Probable vs. Texans

Friday, Dec. 26

The Jaguars provide an update on Gerhart's status:

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Gerhart Exits with Rib Injury

Thursday, Dec. 18

Michael DiRocco of ESPN.com reported the news:

Although Gerhart would return in the fourth quarter per the Jags before leaving the game again:

Gerhart was a marquee offseason addition to Jacksonville's roster, coming over from Minnesota after backing up Vikings superstar Adrian Peterson for his entire career. The Jaguars were counting on the hard-running, 231-pound Gerhart to be the featured, workhorse back.

The team is in the midst of yet another unpromising season, and it appears Gerhart won't live up to the hype. Lackluster blocking, subpar quarterback play and losing have defined the Jags in recent years, and their rebuilding project is evidently still a work in progress.

Gerhart missed Week 6's loss to Tennessee with a foot injury and was banged up toward the beginning of the year as well. Nevertheless, he has flat-out not produced like a star—and has been surpassed on the depth chart by a former college QB, Denard Robinson.

The power running style Gerhart has mandates better blocking. Without it, he won't have a shot at overtaking Robinson as the feature back.

With prior health issues and to-date production being red flags, that isn't to say Gerhart can't make an impact in Jacksonville eventually. No. 3 overall pick Blake Bortles isn't a surefire franchise QB, but the defense is bound to improve under coach Gus Bradley, a former Seattle Seahawks defensive coordinator.

Until the big men up front block better and Bortles develops, though, there isn't much opportunity for Jacksonville's ball-carriers other than the elusive Robinson to have success, regardless of who's in the backfield.