May 26, 2015; Miami, FL, USA; Miami Dolphins wide receiver DeVante Parker (11) makes a catch as Miami Dolphins cornerback Brent Grimes (21) defends during practice drills at Miami Dolphins Training Facility. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports
DAVIE, Fla. – Miami Dolphins wide receiver DeVante Parker, the first-round pick from Louisville who was dazzling during offseason workouts, was placed on the Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list Wednesday. And while the Dolphins originally said they expected Parker back for the Sept. 13 opener at Washington they now saying there’s no projected return date.
“This is a process,” coach Joe Philbin said. “DeVante Parker is going to be an excellent football player here for a long time and so we’ll take it one day at a time. It’s a process and when he’s healthy we’ll get him on the field and he’ll practice. Once we’re confident he’s comfortable in his assignments and execution and he can help us win football games, he’ll go out and play.”
Miami’s wide receivers have the potential to be special with Parker and Jarvis Landry playing together. Without Parker, however, the wide receivers seem OK but nothing unique.
Also on the injury front, left tackle Branden Albert, expected to be ready for the Sept. 13 opener, said he thought he would never play football again after tearing two ligaments in his right knee last season. But Albert, who hasn’t yet practiced, is going through rehabilitation and seems ready to hit his projected return date.
Quarterback Ryan Tannehill was sharp in his first practice of training camp, even completing a couple of deep passes, which was a weakness last season. Defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh also had a good first day even though Miami wasn’t in pads. Cornerback Brent Grimes was among the standouts while his counterpart on the other side, Jamar Taylor, struggled somewhat.
As for other on-field happenings, there were no changes to the starting lineups although left guard Dallas Thomas and right guard Billy Turner are splitting repetitions with left guard Jeff Linkenbach and right guard Jamil Douglas. The problems at guard are accentuated with Albert missing. Left tackle Jason Fox is still starting in Albert’s place.
Safeties Walt Aikens and Michael Thomas handled free safety duties late in practice while starter Louis Delmas rested. Delmas is coming off a serious knee injury so it’s more likely he’s having his snaps limited rather than being pushed for his starting job.
Off the field, owner Steve Ross said he supports NFL commissioner Roger Goodell and the way he’s handled the New England Patriots Deflategate controversy.
“I have a lot of confidence in Roger and the league offices,” Ross said after the Dolphins’ first training camp practice. “I dealt with them, as you know, with a little controversy not too long ago,” Ross said of the Dolphins’ bullying scandal in 2013. “And they’re very objective. I don’t have all the facts (about the Patriots’ situation). I don’t know if any of us really have all the facts.
“But I think the league takes everything into consideration and I have a lot of faith in what the league rules. When it happens to you everybody is always upset. It’s a natural reaction. But I have a lot of confidence that the league has done the right thing and they have the facts. and I think Roger tries to treat everybody fairly.”
