South Florida Sun-Sentinel (Sunday)
WR Parker’s future may be uncertain
HOUSTON — When the Miami Dolphins were in dire need for DeVante Parker to contribute offensively, the embattled receiver who has found himself as the subject of recent trade rumors, answered the call.
Parker led the Miami offense, catching six of nine targets for a career-high 134 receiving yards, in the Dolphins’ 42-23 loss to the Texans on Thursday night at NRG Stadium.
“I already know who I am as a player — I still have the talent,” said Parker, who appeared in just his third game this season. “I’m just using whatever I can to help the team. That’s it.”
Now, the issue is whether the Dolphins still believe in Parker, a former first-round pick in 2015.
Especially after a breakout performance that may have risen his trade value just days before the NFL trade deadline on Tuesday.
“I’m not worried about that at all,” Parker said when asked if he believes the Dolphins will deal him.
The Dolphins’ highlight play of the game was a Brock Osweiler pass intended for receiver Jakeem Grant that ricocheted into Parker’s arms for a 46-yard gain, his longest play of the game.
Parker also caught a 17-yard pass that Osweiler threw behind him, finishing with just one drop in the game.
“Coach did a good job of calling plays for everyone,” Parker said. “I was just in the right spot in the right time to make a play.”
Parker made the most of his opportunities as the Dolphins’ top receiving target against the Texans, getting into the groove of the game playing in a majority of the offensive series unlike the few opportunities he had in his only two games this season.
“He was jacked up. He was ready to go,” Dolphins coach Adam Gase said. “He knew he was going to be able to play and get in a rhythm. … When we get him, whether it be across the middle or down the field, he took advantage of it.”
The Dolphins’ demand for Parker became evident when leading receivers Albert Wilson and Kenny Stills — who both have four touchdown catches this season — suffered injuries last Sunday against the Detroit Lions at Hard Rock Stadium.
Parker — who has dealt with a broken finger and quadriceps injury — was inactive last week for the fifth time this season. But it may have been the first time when healthy.
Gase said following last Sunday’s game that Parker was not completely healthy, while Parker’s agent Jimmy Gould refuted that claim, calling Gase incompetent.
Parker said he did not agree with the opinions of his agent, and reiterated his desire to play in Miami with the Dolphins.
Against the Texans, Parker said his confidence gradually grew with each catch he made during the game.
He was able to prove to himself that he could be a playmaking receiver and vital part of the Dolphins offense.
Miami is optimistic Stills can return from his groin injury next week when the Dolphins host the New York Jets. But Wilson, on the other hand, saw his explosive season come to an end after suffering a hip injury and being placed on injured reserve.
The Dolphins have four days to decide if they want to deal Parker or keep him to boost the offense.
Just as Parker’s confidence begins to rise, it is met with uncertainty.
“I’m not sure,” Parker said when asked if he expects to be a Dolphins player after the deadline.
“We’ll see. I don’t know.”