Parker’s status uncertain for Sunday
DAVIE — The biggest injury storyline for the Dolphins this week is whether wide receiver DeVante Parker can play through a sprained ankle against Atlanta on Sunday.
He’s not off to a promising start.
Parker was not on the field during the open portion of Wednesday’s practice and likely was inside the facility getting treatment. Coach Adam Gase said it’s too early to predict whether he’ll be available Sunday.
“I’m kind of in a wait-andsee mode,” he said. “Last year, we went to the Baltimore game, and I was told he’s not going to play for a couple of weeks, and he played on that Sunday. I just never count him out. We’ll just kind of see how the week progresses.
“If he’s out there, it’s always a big positive for us — size, speed, his ability to go up and get balls — and if he’s not out there, we’ve got guys we’ve got to shuffle around. We’ve got to mix a few pieces, put some guys in some different positions. ... But that’s why we kind of do what we do when we move guys around in training camp, to make sure that everybody is ready to go for the season.”
Parker hurt his ankle in Sunday’s win over Tennessee. He had one catch for 6 yards before exiting. For the season, he has 19 catches, 236 yards and a touchdown.
Injury report: Defensive tackle Jordan Phillips, who missed the past three games with an ankle injury, was working during individual drills Wednesday.
Other than Parker, all of the offensive players dealing with minor issues — Jarvis Landry, Jay Ajayi, Mike Pouncey and Kenny Stills — were on the field.
‘Fresh eyes’ from new coach? The Dolphins offense has been garbage, trash and junk all rolled up in one.
And now offensive line coach Chris Foerster is out, jettisoned in the wake of a scandalous video.
So the Dolphins have hired a new senior offensive assistant, a man named Dave DeGuglielmo.
It’s hard to say what’s more difficult, pronouncing DeGuglielmo (day-GHOUL-yell-mo) or fixing Miami’s offense.
But the new guy will give it a shot, even if his exact role is publicly undefined at the moment.
Whatever the case, this is an unusual time to bring in an NFL coach with 25 years of experience, including 12 in the NFL and two as the New England Patriots’ offensive line coach.
But perhaps that is a good thing.
DeGuglielmo hasn’t been a part of this debacle. He is the personification of “fresh eyes.”
“That’s a positive that’s come out of this,” Gase said Wednesday. “Somebody who hasn’t really been here. We’ll take a look, see if he can kind of see something, maybe make some adjustments.”
Miami’s offense is currently ranked 32nd in total yards per game, 32nd in yards per play, 32nd in third downs and 32nd in points per game.
Gase said DeGuglielmo visited Dolphins training camp in the summer and was an immediate consideration.
“We had some good conversations, just talking about some of the things we both experienced,” Gase said. “He was with Josh (McDaniels) in New England and me being with him in Denver . ... We’ve kind of been around the same circle of people. His career’s been going on a little longer than mine. We just felt like that was the first name that popped in my head.”
Titans taunted Dolphins D: Dolphins cornerback Xavien Howard’s hit on Titans running back DeMarco Murray was a memorable play in the first quarter Sunday.
Murray was running to his left when the second-year DB, just before the sideline, lowered his left shoulder and flattened the running back hard to the ground and out of bounds.
“That set the tone of the game,” Howard said Wednesday.
It turns out a pregame interaction Howard says involved Murray, himself and Miami safety Reshad Jones provided extra motivation.
“Early on, during the warmup, DeMarco Murray came by, and me and Reshad ( Jones) were right there,” Howard said. “And he said, ‘Hey, No. 20, this is going to be easy.’”
Howard, who said he is “physically stronger” in his second season, claimed to be angered.
“(Murray) turned us up after that,” Howard said. “That’s the one I caught him on the sideline. That’s all I thought about when I saw him coming outside.”
Howard proved as a rookie to be a willing and physical tackler. He had some hard hits in this game, despite missing some practice time with a shoulder injury.
Before the season began, defensive coordinator Matt Burke spoke of Howard’s improvements.
“He’s physical; he’s putting his hands on guys,” Burke said. “We drafted him for a reason and the athletic ability he has. He spent a lot of time in the offseason just working on technique, the stuff he didn’t get as a rookie because he was hurt this time last year, and then we kind of threw him into the fire . ... His technique is just ... it’s been impeccable.”
Howard was the 11th-best corner in the NFL this week, according to Pro Football Focus, allowing only two receptions for 14 yards.