JACKSONVILLE – The debut of the Jaguars' starting running back will wait at least a week.
Toby Gerhart, the Jaguars' starting running back who signed as an unrestricted free agent from Minnesot this past offseason, will miss Friday's preseason opener against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Head Coach Gus Bradley said Wednesday morning.
Gerhart has been out of practice since late last week with a hip flexor.
Bradley said while he hoped to get Gerhart four or five carries in the preseason opener there will be time in the final three preseason games to prepare for the regular-season opener.
"He'll get more carries as we go," Bradley said"," Bradley said Wednesday after the Jaguars worked for about an hour, 45 minutes in the late morning in 87-degree temperatures at the Florida Blue Health and Wellness Practice Fields.
Also on Wednesday, a couple of hips got a little better from Tuesday, but the Jaguars wide receiver group also sustained another injury.
Rookie wide receiver Allen Hurns, who missed Tuesday's practice with a hip flexor, and second-year safety Johnathan Cyprien – who missed much of practice Tuesday with a hip flexor – returned to practice Wednesday.
But wide receiver Mike Brown – expected to be one of the team's top three receivers on Friday – missed the end of practice with a hamstring issue and is considered day-to-day.
"It was something that was kind of precautionary," Brown said. "We'll see how it goes. I'll go in and get treatment and get ready for tomorrow. It's very frustrating. Anytime I can't be out there, it's very frustrating. There are a lot of unfortunate situations (at receiver).
"All of us are working to get back. We'll be back as soon as possible."
Rookie guard Brandon Linder, who worked with the second unit at right guard after returning from a foot injury Tuesday, worked extensively with the first team Wednesday. He had worked extensively with the first unit last week.
Bradley said the coaches will meet Wednesday night to determine playing time against the Buccaneers Friday. The Jaguars worked just one session on Wednesday preparing for Friday, focusing instead on working on themselves.
One position of note Friday is wide receiver, where the Jaguars are down in numbers because of injuries and the training-camp absence of second-year veteran Ace Sanders. Rookie quarterback Stephen Morris took some snaps at receiver Wednesday.
Wide receivers coach Jerry Sullivan said early Wednesday he expected Hurns, rookie Marqise Lee and Brown to be the top three receivers Friday. He said Lee and Hurns likely will start, with Brown playing outside and Lee playing the slot when the team works in three-receiver formations.
Wide receiver Cecil Shorts III (hamstring), tight end Clay Harbor (calf), wide receiver Tandon Doss (ankle), wide receiver Allen Robinson (hamstring) and linebacker J.T. Thomas (hamstring) also remained out of practice.
The Jaguars will hold a walkthrough practice later Wednesday afternoon, and will hold another practice Thursday morning. Thursday's practice is a walkthrough session closed to the public.
The Jaguars will play host to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at EverBank Field in their first 2014 preseason game Friday at 7:30 p.m.
INJURY WATCH
Linebacker Dekoda Watson (sports hernia) remains on the Physically Unable to Perform list, with cornerback Aaron Colvin (knee) remaining on the non-football injury list. Gerhart, Shorts, Harbor, Thomas, Robinson and Doss remain out of practice. Brown missed the end of practice.
#Jaguars K @JoshScobee10 practicing for #TBvsJAX at #JagsCamp. Start getting ready now, @FirehouseSubs. https://t.co/Y0Oiq0e8fn — Jacksonville Jaguars (@Jaguars) August 6, 2014
