Sun Sentinel Palm Beach Edition
Parker’s health status uncertain
Ankle injury could keep WR out of Falcons game
DAVIE — Miami wide receiver DeVante Parker’s status for this Sunday’s game at Atlanta remains uncertain after he sustained an ankle injury against Tennessee.
Coach Adam Gase said Monday he wasn’t sure of the severity of the injury that occurred in the first quarter of last Sunday’s 16-10 victory over Tennessee and kept Parker sidelined for the rest of the game.
“We’ll see kind of how it goes,” Gase said about Parker’s availability.
Parker, the 2015 first-round draft pick, has been slowed by foot and hamstring injuries the past two seasons.
Parker, who has had issues with professionalism in the past including hydration, rest, diet and practice habits, seemed poised to have a big season. Wide receivers coach Shawn Jefferson predicted Parker would have a “monster” year.
But, in a stagnant passing game, Parker only has 19 receptions for 236 yards and one touchdown.
If Parker can’t play either Jakeem Grant or Leonte Carroo would likely fill his spot on the field joining starting wide receivers Jarvis Landry and Kenny Stills.
Hewitt returns
Linebacker Neville Hewitt, who started five games last year and was released before the regular season while battling a shoulder injury, was at the facility Monday and said he’s signing with the team. Hewitt could serve as a valuable backup.
Gase on anthem
Gase said he was the one who implemented the team’s new national anthem stance.
“It was a decision made that we were going to stand and guys who didn’t want to stand, stayed back in the locker room,” he said.
Gase was then asked who made the decision, and he replied, “I did.”
Owner Steve Ross, who has been supportive of players using their platform as professional athletes to protest social injustice, said Sunday he’d like players to stand during the national anthem.
Four rookies on defense
The Dolphins played four rookies together on the defense against Tennessee — tackles Davon Godchaux and Vincent Taylor, end Charles Harris and cornerback Cordrea Tankersley.
“Me, Tank and Godchaux, we actually hung out last night,” Taylor said Monday, “and we were just talking about it, and when your time comes you have to be ready to play. And I think that’s all we’re doing, when our number is called we’re trying to go out there and make plays.”
Godchaux, the fifthround pick, and Tankersley, the third-round pick, started while Harris, the first-round pick, and Taylor, the sixth-round pick, played reserve roles.
Godchaux, Taylor and Harris were part of a defense that held the Titans to 69 yards rushing.
Godchaux said all he’s heard in his few months with Miami, especially from defensive coordinator
Matt Burke, is the emphasis on stopping the run.
“That’s big,” Godchaux said. “Coach Burke emphasized it a lot, [defensive line] coach Terrell
Williams emphasized it a lot.
“All the great defenses I know, all the great defenses I’ve watched, they were great against the run first because that’s where it all starts.”
Dolphins OK in standings
In case you haven’t looked, the Dolphins are in last place in the AFC East, but it’s not as bad as it would appear.
New England, the New York Jets and Buffalo Bills are all 3-2 while the Dolphins are 2-2. So, you could say the Dolphins are in second place and have a chance to grab a share of first place this week.