Offense prepares to play without Parker

DAVIE — The Miami Dolphins are preparing to play Sunday’s pivotal game against the Baltimore Ravens without receiver DeVante Parker.

Parker, who suffered a back injury in last week’s 31-24 win over the San Francisco 49ers, sat out his second straight practice Thursday, and offensive coordinator Clyde Christensen said the team is planning as if it won’t have him.

That explains why the Dolphins promoted rookie receiver Rashawn Scott, a former University of Miami standout, from the practice squad.

Rookie Leonte Carroo, a third-round pick, would likely replace Parker as the starting split end receiver. Scott will likely be the fourth receiver ahead of fellow rookie Jakeem Grant, who works exclusive as a slot receiver and return specialist.

“Those guys have been able to take a lot of reps, which when you’re a young player, that’s critical, because you can look at everything on a piece of paper — you can look at everything on a board — but at the end of the day, until you really do it, that’s when you can make some strides,” head coach Adam Gase said of the rookie receivers.

Parker, the Dolphins’ 2015 first-round pick, had been battling a hamstring strain most of the season but became an impact player in November when he finally got healthy.

hinted the rookie likely won’t play Sunday.

Joseph said Howard still isn’t fully healed from the arthroscopic surgery on his right knee that kept him from playing in the past seven games. Joseph believes Howard, who has practiced on a limited basis the past two weeks, needs a week of two before he’ll be cleared to play.

“We’re taking it slow with him. He’s not quite ready yet, but he’s close,” Joseph said of Howard, who started Miami’s first four games and contributed 28 tackles, two pass deflections and a forced fumble. “When he comes back we have to figure out how to play those guys, because is playing well and

is playing

[Tony] Lippett [Byron] Maxwell

very well.”

The Dolphins don’t like to rotate cornerbacks in and out of games, because that has the potential to mess up their communication. Miami’s secondary has made steady progress this season defending the pass, and Joseph credits the players’ understanding of the schemes and enhanced communication.

TAIMY ALVAREZ/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER A Dolphins trainer helps tackle Branden Albert put on a glove over the cast protecting his wrist before practice on Thursday.