Drake, Parker, Tunsil injured

TAMPA — Two potential Miami Dolphins starters missed Wednesday’s practice due to injuries, while another starter was limited, raising concerns about the team’s health nearing the midpoint of the preseason.

Dolphins running back Kenyan Drake and wide receiver DeVante Parker did not practice Wednesday, one day after working during the team’s first joint practice with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Starting left tackle Laremy Tunsil, who practiced Tuesday, worked in a limited basis Wednesday.

During the preseason, new Dolphins coach Brian Flores has opted against disclosing information about player injuries. Drake, Parker and Tunsil join an extensive injury list of Dolphins players that already included five potential starters before Friday’s preseason game against the Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium.

Drake, wearing a walking boot on his right foot, acknowledged he has a foot injury that will not keep him out of action for a significant amount of time.

Flores did not want to speculate if Drake would be available for Miami’s regular-season opener at home against the Baltimore Ravens on Sept. 8.

“We take things day to day here,” he said. “The opener is down the road.

“[Drake’s] got a little injury. He’s just going to take it day to day. He’s got a great attitude about it. I think he’ll be OK.”

The Drake injury has paved the way for secondyear running back Kalen Ballage to shine during the joint practices, while running backs Mark Walton, Myles Gaskin and Patrick Laird split second-team repetitions.

Rookie receiver Preston Williams has also been able to take advantage of the latest injury to Parker. Flores was not asked about the status of Parker’s injury, but news of his first missed practice since being healthy throughout offseason workouts and training camp is alarming.

Parker, who has been injury-prone throughout his career, was seen on the Dolphins sidelines during practice speaking with teammates. He did not appear to be wearing any kind of brace or sleeves to protect a visible injury.

Flores did express optimism for Tunsil’s injury management. Tunsil did not play during the Dolphins’ preseason opener against the Atlanta Falcons last Thursday and could also be in question to play against the Buccaneers.

“Laremy, he started today,” Flores said of his best offensive lineman on a unit that has struggled mightily throughout training camp, working to fill the other four starting positions with two rookies extensively in the mix.

“Laremy is fine. I think he’ll be OK. He’s obviously one of our best players, [so] we got to use caution when it’s time to. That’s just doing things the smart way.

“We’re not going to baby anybody — let’s be clear on that. He knows that. But we felt like that was the right move [Wednesday].”

The Dolphins did have some slightly better news on the injury front as Albert Wilson worked in limited fashion with his teammates during seven-on-seven action against the Buccaneers for the second straight day.

Wilson caught at least one pass from quarterback Josh Rosen and made several moves to get into the end zone.

The Dolphins have gradually worked Wilson along this training camp as he recovers from a hip labrum injury he suffered last season. Wilson rehabilitated the injury without having surgery this offseason.

“He’s doing a good job,” Flores said of Wilson. “You’re seeing a little bit more from him every day.

“It’s a new offense for him, so getting those reps and having the ability to play fast and play with his teammates and get with the quarterbacks and understand them [is helpful].”

Joining Parker, Stills and Tunsil on the Dolphins’ injury list this week were safety T.J. McDonald, backup safety and special teams standout Walt Aikens, and rookie outside linebacker Andrew Van Ginkel. All three players played significant roles during the preseason opener but were unable to compete against the Buccaneers during the two days of joint practices.

Longtime Dolphins safety Reshad Jones, linebackers Kiko Alonso and Raekwon McMillan, and receiver Jakeem Grant are starters from a season ago who have been sidelined by undisclosed injuries during much of training camp. Linebackers Chase Allen and Quinten Poling, and cornerback Cordrea Tankersley have also missed significant time.

New defensive end Robert Nkemdiche, the former No.1high school recruit and NFL draft first-round pick recovering from anterior cruciate ligament surgery in December, has not yet joined the team in Tampa.

Nkemdiche reportedly was expected to return from the injury at some point during the first month of the regular season, but will be bought along slowly by the Dolphins.

“Rob is doing everything he can to get back and better as quickly as he can,” Flores said of Nkemdiche.

“We’ve got a plan in place for him. He’s working and he’ll be back as soon as he can.”