Parker’s finger broken
Wide receiver is unable to catch the ball, could miss season opener Sept. 9
DAVIE — Miami Dolphins wide receiver DeVante Parker is in jeopardy of missing the Sept. 9 season opener against the Tennessee Titans because of a broken finger on his right hand.
According to a source, Parker’s middle finger is broken.
“Right now, we’re going to be going week-to-week,” coach Adam Gase said of Parker’s status Tuesday. “I mean, right now, he wouldn’t be able to catch the ball. So we’ll just keep evaluating that and when they tell us that he’s good to go, we’ll have him ready to go.”
Parker, the Dolphins’ 2015 first-round pick, suffered the injury during Sunday’s practice when he he collided with cornerback
“Right now, we’re going to be going week-toweek.”
Coach Adam Gase
Xavien Howard and his hand got tangled in one of their shoulder pads.
Parker, who has started 24 of the 42 games he’s played in the past three seasons, finished Sunday’s practice, but was clearly bothered by the injury the rest of the session.
Parker hasn’t practiced since, and Albert Wilson, a free agent the Dolphins signed to a three-year deal worth $24 million in the offseason, has replaced him as Miami’s starting split end the past two practices.
“We have a lot of talented receivers that can do a lot of special things with the ball,” said Wilson, who caught two passes for 31 yards in Miami’s 26-24 preseason loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
“[Gase] did a great job of recruiting guys
that can run with the ball after the catch,” said Wilson, who caught 42 passes for 554 yards and scored three touchdowns in Kansas City last season.
Making matters worse is the fact Kenny Stills, the team’s starting flanker, has been held out of practice this week because of a left ankle injury he suffered in Thursday night’s game.
Jakeem Grant has replaced Stills, meaning quarterback Ryan Tannehill has been breaking in two new starters at the same time. Grant and Wilson are expected to start in Friday night’s preseason game against the Carolina Panthers.
The Dolphins want to make sure Stills’ ankle injury doesn’t carry over to the regular season.
Tannehill said working in a new set of receivers is challenging because he has to master their timing on routes. But Gase knew getting Wilson and Grant working with Tannehill was critical because of the injuries that have annually hit the receiver unit.
“They are different body types, but they are both really talented guys who can play the position in a way we need them to play,” Tannehill said referring to Wilson and Grant.
“It’s just a matter of getting the reps, and getting comfortable with how each guy moves under duress. When he’s getting pushed, how will he react and recover?
“When they tell us that he’s good to go, we’ll have him ready to go.” Coach Adam Gase
When he’s getting pushed, one guy recovers a different way than another guy, but you have to throw it with the same timing.”
Wilson said this extended run with the first team is important because he must learn Tannehill’s demeanor and tone in the huddle.
“You definitely want to work all that out in practice before you get out in the game and try to work it,” said Wilson, who caught 124 passes for 1,544 yards and scored seven touchdowns in his four seasons with the Chiefs.
Parker has battled injuries throughout his NFL career.
In his rookie season, the former Louisville standout had a screw in his foot replaced and missed most of training camp and the exhibition season.
In 2016, Parker was sidelined by a hamstring injury and fought through a back injury.
Last season, Parker suffered a severe ankle injury in Week 2 and he fought through the injury all year, finishing 57 receptions for 670 yards and scoring one touchdown in 13 games.