1 injured WR back, other not ready

MIAMI GARDENS — The Miami Dolphins are making progress on getting one of their injured wide receivers back, but the other is still not ready to return to the practice field after two months on injured reserve.

DeVante Parker, who was placed on IR on Nov. 5 due to a hamstring injury, returned for the Dolphins’ Wednesday practice. He was seen during the media viewing portion after coach Brian Flores said he would be back ahead of drills.

Will Fuller, on the other hand, will not be at practice this week, marking a ninth consecutive game he misses when he doesn’t suit up against the New York Giants (4-7) at Hard Rock Stadium in Sunday’s 1 p.m. kickoff.

Fuller was first placed on injured reserve on Oct. 6 after the Oct. 3 loss to the Indianapolis Colts due to a fractured finger.

“He had a pretty significant fracture in the finger,” Flores said Wednesday. “A lot of broken bones in there, and still healing. Just not able to get out there yet.”

Fuller, after being signed to a one-year, $10.6 million deal in the offseason, has only played just one full game this season, Sept. 26 at the Las Vegas Raiders. He was injured in the first half of the following week’s game against the Colts.

Fuller has four receptions for 26 yards, plus a successful 2-point conversion, this season for Miami (5-7). Parker ran a series of different routes during the media viewing portion of Wednesday’s practice that included hitches, slants and a few deeper patterns.

“It’s good to have DP back out there,” said quarterback Tua Tagovailoa. “He looked pretty good in practice [Wednesday]. To me, it didn’t look like he was limited in any of the reps, so that’s very encouraging to see.”

Parker has 25 receptions for 327 yards and a touchdown in five games this season. He hasn’t played since the Oct. 31 game at the Buffalo Bills.

“DeVante’s obviously an elite receiver in this league,” said tight end Mike Gesicki. “He can make plays downfield, make contested catches.”

Added fellow wideout Jaylen Waddle: “Everybody knows DeVante’s a great player, so it’s just another weapon. Makes the offense that much better. Just bring his vet style to the game.”

With center Michael Deiter going through a second week of practice and potentially returning from a foot injury that has cost him the past two months, the Dolphins also brought backup center Greg Mancz back to practice Wednesday. Dolphins right tackle Jesse Davis was seen watching Wednesday’s drills in shorts and a hat with a compression sleeve on his right leg. The team’s injury report indicated it was a veteran rest day for Davis.

Trill Williams did not participate due to a hamstring injury. Fellow cornerbacks Xavien Howard and Byron Jones had limited participation due to rest. Also limited Wednesday were guard Robert Hunt (back), safety Brandon Jones (ankle/elbow), running back Phillip Lindsay (ankle), linebacker Jaelan Phillips (hip) and tight end Adam Shaheen (knee).

Dolphins preparing for Jones: Giants quarterback Daniel Jones has been diagnosed with a neck strain, and it is unlikely he will be able to make the start on Sunday against the Dolphins, according to NFL Network.

Jones was a limited participant in Wednesday’s practice, according to New York’s injury report, and he said on Wednesday he’s preparing this week as if he’s going to play.

If Jones is unable to go, Giants backup Mike Glennon would get the start at Hard Rock Stadium. The Dolphins, however, are preparing for Jones.

“We’re preparing as if he’s going to be up,” Flores said. “We take a look at all of the quarterbacks. They have plenty of guys to prepare for.”

Added cornerback Byron Jones: “They are both good quarterbacks. They’ve both played in this league for a good amount of time. No matter who is out there, I think we’re going to get the Giants’ best. We’re preparing for both.”

The Giants have a series of players that didn’t participate in their Wednesday practice: Linebacker Trent Harris (ankle), fullback Cullen Gillaspia (calf ), defensive back Adoree Jackson (quadriceps), wide receiver John Ross (illness), tight end Kyle Rudolph (ankle), wide receiver Sterling Shepard (quadriceps), tight end Kaden Smith (knee) and receiver Kadarius Toney (oblique/quadriceps).