Parker, three others leave with injuries in Sunday’s victory
MIAMI GARDENS — The Miami Dolphins’ byeweek comes earlier than expected, but it could help several players on the team get healthy for the final stretch of the season.
Dolphins receiver DeVante Parker and three other players left Sunday’s 24-0 win over the New York Jets with injuries.
Parker suffered a groin injury in the second half, and did not return, finishing with just three catches on five targets for 35 yards. Parker, who has dealt with a hamstring injury earlier this season, has dealt with nagging injuries throughout his career.
As Miami’s leading receiver, with 29 catches for 364 yards with two touchdowns, the bye week maybe themost important regarding Parker’s health for the second stretch of the Dolphins’ season.
Miami is 3-3, reached .500 for the first time under coach Brian Flores, and are second place in the AFC East behind the Buffalo Bills after Sunday’s win.
Dolphins outside linebacker Andrew Van Ginkel, middle linebacker Kamu Grugier-Hill and defensive tackle Raekwon Davis also suffered injuries against the
Jets, while outside line backer Kyle Van Noy did not play because of his two injuries.
Van Noy, one of the top freeagent acquisitions Miami made this offseason, was inactive for Sunday’s game. He practiced on a limited basis this week with a groin injury and is dealing with a foot injury the Dolphins listed on their injury report Saturday afternoon.
Van Ginkel left thefirst half tobe evaluated for a concussion and did not return.
Grugier-Hill left the game at the start of the third quarter with a hand injury, while Davis left with a shoulder injury in the fourth quarter. They also did not return.
Pregame notes
Dolphins defensive end Shaq Lawson, who was dealing with a shoulder injury he suffered in Week 4 and missed last week’s game.
Lawson, who signed a three-year, $30 million deal this past off season, had a sack, six quarter back hits and nine tackles in the four games he started coming into Sunday.
Dolphins’ third-year tight end Durham Smythe, who missed last week’ s game with a knee injury, also returned to action against the Jets.
The other inactive players for the Dolphins: running back Jordan Howard (now inactive for the second straight game), wide receiver Malcolm Perry, running back Salvon Ahmed and defensive end Jason Strowbridge.
The Dolphins elevated undrafted rookie defensive tackle Benito Jones to their active roster for the Jets game.
The move was necessitated by the Dolphins placing fourth-year defensive tackle Davon Godchaux on injured reserve for a biceps injury he underwent surgery to correct this past week. Godchaux could miss the rest of the season, but is hopeful to return before season’s end.