Jaguars quarterback Blaine Gabbert left today’s game in Houston after suffering bruised ribs in the first quarter, but he quickly returned.
Gabbert ran for 11 yards on third-and-10 and went into a feet-first slide after getting the first down, but Texans safety Glover Quin and linebacker Brian Cushing hit him as he went to the ground. Gabbert was later shown on the sidelines getting his ribs taped.
Quin and Cushing weren’t penalized, as Gabbert slid just an instant before the collision, and the officials apparently believed neither Texan could have stopped in time to avoid the hit.
Backup Luke McCown came in and threw a couple of incompletions before the Jaguars punted. On the next series, Gabbert returned.
Houston leads 7-0 late in the first quarter.