Wideouts must catch on quickly

up the new receivers’ understanding of Miami’s offense is for the coaches to not give them more than they can handle.

However, these Dolphins coaches have a history of inserting players traded for, claimed, signed or promoted up from the practice squad into the starting lineup a week after they’ve joined the team. That’s happened in more than a half-dozen instances this year.

“It’s our responsibility as coaches to make sure that that we give them the right amount of volume in a game that they can handle,” O’Shea said. “With the players we have on our roster right now, I’m confident because of their work ethic and their preparation right now.”

But the bulk of the passing game will likely be placed on Allen Hurns, Isaiah Ford and tight end Mike Gesicki’s shoulders.

Hurns handled 57 snaps in Miami’s 22-21 loss to the Jets, and Ford handled 55.

Ford, who was called up from the practice squad two weeks ago, turned those 55 snaps into a career-high six receptions for 92 yards, and was showered with praise by quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick for helping everyone settle in and informing them of their assignments.

O’Shea backed up Fitzpatrick’s praise of Ford, pointing out that the former Virginia Tech standout is “a conceptual learner,” which means he’s someone who doesn’t just learn his role in play, he learns everyone else’s responsibility.

“He’s stayed ready at all positions. … He can line up anywhere, and that happened in the game,” O’Shea said. “He did a good job of getting some other guys lined up and helping [Fitzpatrick] in the game. He’s kind of our second quarterback on the field.”

Parker and Wilson could sit out the entire week of practice and play this Sunday’s game, but that will be determined by an independent examiner.

The first step of the concussion protocol requires a player’s headaches and light sensitivity to subside before he returns to practice. Then they must not return once he starts practicing again.

There have been a handful of instances in which a Dolphins player hadn’t practiced all week because he was in the concussion protocol, then played on Sunday. But that hasn’t happened under this coaching staff.