The Miami Dolphins have been impressed by DeVante Parker in OTAs and minicamp this offseason, but after undergoing foot surgery the rookie will miss training camp and that could force the team to look at free agents like James Jones or Wes Welker for some extra depth, but Parker is expected to be ready for Week 1 of the season.
Pro Football Talk and the Miami Herald report that Parker had "successful" foot surgery this week and he is "expected to be ready" for Week 1 of the season. Parker likely will miss all of training camp and that could be big as he tries to develop into a pro wide receiver. Parker has been getting rave reviews from the coaching staff and quarterback Ryan Tannehill, but now he will be out until at least the end of August and could return in September for Week 1.
According to Armando Salguero of the Miami Herald, the surgery for Parker was "was performed as a precaution" and that he could play this week if the injury came during the season. The team wants to be cautious with Parker, as they made numerous changes to the offense and need Parker to step up at wide receiver. The team traded Mike Wallace this offseason, cut Brandon Gibson and Brian Hartline and they also brought in Greg Jennings as a free agent and Kenny Stills in a trade.
The Dolphins could look at adding a receiver for depth moving forward and names like James Jones and Wes Welker remain available. Welker was reportedly a target earlier in the offseason, but the team signed Greg Jennings instead. Welker has not had much attention on the market and he recently said that he would be open to a return to the Patriots.
Welker has been cleared by doctors after dealing with concussions last season and he had 49 catches for 464 yards and two touchdowns in 14 games with the Broncos. Jones was released by the Raiders after leading the team with 73 catches for 666 yards and six touchdowns.
Landry, Jennings and Stills are the main starters and while Parker is expected to get a major role moving forward, his development could be stunted a little bit. The chemistry built in training camp can be big for the season, but Parker has shown some great skills so far and he could jump in quickly like Odell Beckham did last year despite missing time with a hamstring injury. The team now has Jarvis Landry, Jennings, Stills and Rishard Matthews at receiver and with Parker injured, there is a good chance that Matthews will stick around after he previously asked for a trade or his release.
According to the Miami Herald, Parker likely will open training camp on the PUP list and that will allow the team to get him ready for the start of the season. Parker likely will need some time to get back to game speed and the Dolphins now will push Landry and Stills along with Jennings as the main starters this summer. Parker put up solid numbers at Louisville and he comes in with great speed and gives the team a strong deep threat with Landry.
