Parker ‘itching to play’ vs. Jets

Receiver has full workout coming back from broken finger

DAVIE — For the first time since minicamp, wide receiver DeVante Parker was a full participant in a Miami Dolphins practice Thursday.

And it could be a matter of days before Parker plays his first game for the Dolphins this season.

Coach Adam Gase is optimistic Parker, who broke the middle finger on his right hand, will make his return to play in Sunday’s Week 2 road game against the New York Jets.

“I’m feeling pretty good. In practice [Thursday], it felt pretty good,” Parker said from his locker. “We’ll see what happens [Sunday.]”

Gase said Parker is “itching to play,” lauding the former first-round pick out of Louisville for staying in shape over the past month, being aggressive trying to make catches in practice despite his injured hand, and being enthused about contributing on offense this season.

“I think he’s excited to get going,” Gase said of Parker, who was inactive for last week’s season opener. “You don’t play that first game, you’re itching to get to that first one.

“When he tells me he’s ready to go and he wants to go, and he’s that emphatic about it, that’s a good sign for us.”

Parker’s middle finger was bent nearly 90 degrees to the right after a collision with

cornerback Xavien Howard during a preseason practice on Aug. 12.

“I just know when I got up, it was bent in the other direction,” Parker said.

He did not return to Dolphins practice until last Thursday, but was a limited participant, barely catching passes from a team assistant.

When asked if he could have played against the Titans last week, Parker answered “nah, probably not” without hesitation.

But, Parker has made a significant stride in his recovery after practices on Wednesday and Thursday, practicing with his fellow wide receivers in position drills and catching passes from the quarterbacks.

Parker’s right hand is still heavily taped and will be during Sunday’s game to keep it stable.

If he plays against the Jets, Parker hopes his return can begin to shed the injury-prone reputation he has earned in his first three seasons as an NFL player.

“I just think everything happens for a reason. Unfortunately, it always happens to me, but I’m just ready to get back out there with my teammates and keep going,” said Parker, who has missed six career games. “I want to go out there and prove to myself I can go out there and get the job done.”

The Dolphins were able to play with four receivers in their season-opening win against the Titans last week. Kenny Stills scored two touchdowns — including a 75-yard reception from Ryan Tannehill — finishing with four catches for 106 yards.

Jakeem Grant, who scored a 102-yard kickoff return, led the team with five receptions for 38 yards. Danny Amendola had four catches for 26 yards in his Dolphins debut, while Albert Wilson had three catches for 31 yards, and two carries for 7 yards in his team debut.

Gase plans to use his receivers’ speed to the team’s advantage, and he is excited about having Parker back in the fold.

“I think he’s about a foot taller than everybody else,” Gase said with a smile about Parker, who is 6-3. “He’s a big guy that has really good long speed and has good quickness in and out of his breaks. He has an unusual skill set for a guy that size. The times that have been really good with him in games, he can make some freakish plays.

“It’ll be good to kind of get him going again. … Whatever happened before he was injured, it’s really behind him.”