Sun Sentinel Palm Beach Edition
Gase says Parker to ‘suit up’ vs. Bills
Receiver eligible for $9.4M if hurt in finale
DAVIE — Miami Dolphins receiver DeVante Parker could play his final game with the franchise during Sunday’s season finale against the Buffalo Bills.
There is also a chance he could be in for a hefty pay day under contractual circumstances.
“I’m not worried about none of that right now,” Parker said this week. “I’m just worried about finishing this season.”
The Dolphins exercised their fifth-year option on Parker’s deal last April, which keeps the
2015 first-round pick under contract through next season.
Parker would make $9.4 million, which would be guaranteed if he sustained a major injury in practice or the season finale that would prevent him from passing a physical at the start of the new league year in March.
Parker’s deal next season could come off the books if the Dolphins cut him, or he could return on a relatively cheaper contract.
Still, Dolphins coach Adam Gase insisted Parker will suit up as Miami pushes to finish the season 8-8 against the Bills (5-10) at New Era Field in Orchard Park, N.Y.
“I’m aware,” Gase said of the stipulations in Parker’s contract with the team.
“We’re going to play. We’re trying to win the game.”
Parker, who is making $1.9 million this season, has struggled throughout his first four years in the NFL since being drafted out of
Louisville, with this season adding to the frustration.
Parker has only one touchdown, coming in Week 13 against the Bills, and has caught only 24 passes for 309 yards in 10 games in 2018. He had a standout game against the Houston Texans in Week 8, where he played every snap and accounted for six catches for 134 yards.
But in an offense that has lacked big playmakers, like injured receiver Albert Wilson, and needed to sign receiver Brice Butler to get through the final weeks of the season, Parker has been largely inconsistent.
Gase said Parker has practiced “probably as good as I’ve seen him practice over the last three years.” But Parker’s work has not translated into production during games.
“For some reason when we’re getting into the game, I don’t know if he’s trying to be too perfect and it’s slowing him down,” Gase said of Parker. “It’s just one of those things, just cut it loose. Don’t worry about making a mistake. If you do, it’s the quarterback’s job to find you and put the ball on you and then go make a play after the catch.”
A number of factors have contributed to Parker’s lack of overall production this year.
Parker began this season breaking his right middle finger, which got caught on cornerback Xavien Howard’s jersey, during a preseason practice. Then, Parker sustained a quadriceps injury.
He played in only two of the Dolphins’ first seven games before his breakout performance against the Texans.
Parker has played in the past eight games for the Dolphins, while also dealing with a shoulder injury that has healed in the last month, but he has failed to catch more than five passes or gain more than 43 yards during the stretch.
Gase said one of the reasons Parker was successful against the Texans was because he played every snap, allowing him to get into the flow of the game.
But in recent weeks, Parker has seen his snaps limited due to offensive packages that have allowed players like Butler, running backs Kalen Ballage and Brandon Bolden and tight ends Mike Gesicki and Durham Smythe to get into the mix.
“Coach is just putting different personnel in there, different opportunities,” Parker said. “I’m good with what coach has planned.”
Quarterback Ryan Tannehill also acknowledged Parker’s limited opportunities, and said it has been “disappointing” the Dolphins have been unable to better utilize Parker down the stretch.
“He’s splitting so much time right now, at least the past week — maybe two weeks — he’s kind of been splitting more time and that’s kind of been at the same time as he’s getting healthy,” Tannehill said of Parker.
“I think those things kind of go hand in hand. If you’re not getting the reps, it’s tough to get into a rhythm and really stand out.
“Hopefully we get him going this week.”