TE Derby back on field
DAVIE Miami Dolphins tight end A.J. Derby participated in his first practice in two weeks, returning from a foot injury that possibly opened to the door for rookie Mike Gesicki to become the season-opening starter.
Derby began training camp as one of the Dolphins’ starting tight ends, but his absence allowed Gesicki, Miami’s 2018 secondround pick, to gain ground on him in their battle to determine who is paired with MarQueis Gray as the Dolphins’ seamthreat tight end.
Derby, a three-year veteran who has bounced around the NFL the past few seasons, hopes to play in Friday’s preseason game against the Carolina Panthers to remind coaches why he earned the starting spot coming into training camp.
“It feels good to be back,” Derby said. “I’ve got to make up for all the time I’ve missed and get out there and be the guy I can be.”
Derby’s return is important because Gray was pulled out of Monday’s practice because of a right leg injury he’s been nursing for the past week.
Outside of Derby and Gesicki, the Dolphins also have Gavin Escobar, Thomas Duarte and rookie Durham Smythe available for Friday’s road game against the Panthers.
Parker sidelined by hand injury
Dolphins starting receiver DeVante Parker sat out Monday’s practice because of a right hand injury he suffered in Sunday’s practice.
Parker’s status for Friday’s game against he Panthers is unclear, but if he misses the preseason game, quarterback Ryan Tannehill would be working with a new pair of starting receivers because Kenny Stills is nursing a left ankle injury that has kept him from practicing the past two days.
Albert Wilson and Jakeem Grant have been paired with Danny Amendola as Miami’s first-team receivers the past two practices.