The Miami Dolphins have first round pick DeVante Parker out for training camp after the wideout underwent foot surgery this offseason and that could lead the team to keep Rishard Matthews for a longer after he previously asked for a trade or his release and this comes as Jarvis Landry, Kenny Stills and Greg Jennings are the main starters for Ryan Tannehill on offense.
The Miami Herald first reported about Parker's injury and he underwent surgery last week and the team was quoted as saying that the "plan" is for Parker to be ready for Week 1. The Herald reported that the surgery to his fifth metatarsal is not a long term issue and that the team was being cautious so that Parker would have the chance to be ready for the start of the season. According to ESPN.com, Parker likely will open up camp on the PUP list and he could miss out on the rest of the offseason program for the Dolphins.
The Dolphins have high expectations for Parker and he was looking very good in rookie minicamp and OTA workouts, but now he will be sidelined for at least eight to 12 weeks. According to the Palm Beach Post, Parker's agent said that Parker will be out for eight weeks, while a former NFL doctor was quoted as saying that at least 12 weeks will be needed to heal. Missing any part of the offseason program is hard for a rookie player, but Odell Beckham showed last season a wideout could still be effective despite missing out on offseason work.
Fox Sports reports that the team is "hopeful" that Parker will return for Week 1 and that could cause the team to hang on to Rishard Matthews heading through training camp. Pro Football Talk reported that the team added Tommy Streeter after Parker went down, but the Dolphins main wideouts on the roster are Jarvis Landry, Greg Jennings, Kenny Stills and Mathews.
Landry had a great rookie season and is now the number one, while Stills is coming in after the team traded away Mike Wallace and he is slotted in at second on the depth chart. Parker now likely will be behind Greg Jennings until he can prove he is fully healthy and keeping Matthews may be a part of that plan.
Earlier in the offseason it was reported by the Miami Herald that Matthews asked the team for his trade or release, but now with Parker out the situation could be different. The Dolphins already released Brandon Gibson and Brian Hartline this offseason and they also traded Wallace to the Vikings. Matthews did not show up for some of the offseason program, but at the end of May he came into OTA workouts and now he could get a chance to step up with Parker out until at least Week 1 at the earliest.
Matthews had just 12 catches last season in 14 games, but the previous season he set career highs with 41 receptions for 448 yards and he could be a valuable depth option with Parker out. The Dolphins are expecting Ryan Tannehill to have another big season and with so many changes on offense already, keeping Matthews could be a move the Dolphins make.
