The Miami Dolphins drafted DeVante Parker with the expectations that he would pair with Jarvis Landry and help create a solid one-two receiving punch for Ryan Tannehill. That plan was working well so far as the rookie was excelling in OTAs and looking like a Week 1 starter. However, now he is officially doubtful to be healthy by Week 1 after Parker underwent foot surgery last week.
According to NFL.com, Parker underwent foot surgery on Friday after struggling with issues while at Louisville. Doctors replaced a screw that was inserted last year to fix a broken metatarsal. He missed seven games last year with foot problems, but was deemed healthy prior to the NFL Draft. The Dolphins opted to have Parker undergo surgery in hopes that it is a long-term fix. The issue is that it makes Parker doubtful to be healthy by the start of the 2015 season.
According to James Walker of ESPN, the Dolphins do not expect Parker to be ready by Week 1 and his timetable is relatively unknown following the surgery. The Dolphins made it clear their goal was to have the rookie healthy in time, but right now that is not looking good as Parker is not expected to be able to participate in training camp or the preseason. The Palm Beach Post reports the Dolphins believe it is an eight-week timetable for the receiver to be healthy again. That could be generous. Parker's surgery is similar to what Atlanta receiver Julio Jones underwent in 2013 which caused him to miss 11 games. He bounced back to have a career-high year in 2014, so Miami fans should not be concerned about long-term issues.
The question becomes who the starting rotation will be Week 1 for Tannehill. It was originally viewed as a three-way race, but now both Greg Jennings and Kenny Stills could be immediate starters for Miami. It was assumed that both Parker and Landry would be starting alongside Jordan Cameron at the tight end position. However, now Jennings and Stills better get up to speed because they will be getting the nod. With Tannehill's new contract, expectations are very high for the Dolphins. Parker is supposed to be a big factor in making those come true and losing him for any amount of time is certainly a set back.
