Sun Sentinel Palm Beach Edition
Parker, Grant likely to be put on shelf
Reinforcements needed to replace wide receivers
DAVIE — Two Miami Dolphins receivers will be sidelined for a few weeks, but DeVante Parker and Jakeem Grant didn’t suffer season-ending injuries in Sunday’s 31-12 loss to the Green Bay Packers.
Grant, who had been battling a sore Achilles, suffered a left leg injury that will sideline him for a couple weeks. But Grant didn’t tear his Achilles tendon, which would require a nine-month rehabilitation.
DeVante Parker sprained the AC joint in his left shoulder, according to a league source. His status has been labeled week-toweek.
“We’ll come up with a plan as far as who is available for the next game and further down the road,” coach Adam Gase said on Monday, which is the beginning of the Dolphins’ bye week.
However, considering there are seven weeks and six games left, it is likely that Miami needs reinforcements.
Without Grant, who left Lambeau Field in a walking boot, and Parker, the only healthy receivers on the 53-man roster are Kenny Stills, who has been battling a groin injury the past two weeks, Danny Amendola, the team’s slot receiver, and Leonte Carroo, a former third-round pick who was called up from the practice squad earlier this month.
Isaiah Ford, a former Virginia Tech standout the Dolphins selected in the seventh round of the 2017 draft, and Malcolm Lewis, a former University of Miami standout, are both on Miami’s practice squad. It is possible that their familiarity with the offense, which they’ve each been part of for two seasons, could lead to them being promoted to the 53-man roster before Miami’s Nov. 25 road game against the Indianapolis Colts.
“I just try to focus on controlling what I can to be ready for when that time comes,” said Ford, who has learned all three receiver spots. “I’m focusing on my craft, going against [Xavien Howard] and Bobby [McCain] sharpening my iron.”
The Dolphins typically carry four receivers in games, and need six to make it through the week’s practices.
Tanner McEvoy, who spent the first three weeks of the season with the Dolphins before being waived, is a free agent. Also available are Kamar Aiken, Chad Hensen, Hunter Sharp and Rashawn Scott, who spent the previous two seasons with the Dolphins.
Scott, who has played in three games for the Dolphins, suffered an ankle injury during the final preseason game and was waived with an injury settlement in September.
Grant, who caught 21 passes for 268 yards and four touchdowns this season, was also Miami’s primary return specialist. It is likely that tailbacks Senorise Perry, Kalen Ballage and Kenyan Drake will handle kickoff returns, while Amendola becomes Miami’s primary punt returner.
Cornerback
is in the NFL’s concussion protocol because of the head injury
Bobby McCain
he suffered when Packers receiver
gave him a blindside hit that knocked him out of the game. McCain is in the concussion protocol and must be cleared by an independent neurologist before he can return to practice, and games . ... Defensive end dislocated his shoulder against the Packers but continued to play.
Brown
Equanimeous St.
Andre Branch