The Dolphins will play without wide receiver DeVante Parker on Thursday night after Parker hurt his hamstring during Monday’s practice.
It’s not the first time Parker’s hamstring has forced him off the field this summer and a foot injury hindered the 2015 first-round pick for most of his rookie season. On Tuesday, Dolphins coach Adam Gase referenced Broncos wide receiver Demaryius Thomas overcoming injury issues early in his career and said Parker needs to do “all the little things” needed during the week to make sure that you’re able to go on Sunday.
“Sometimes it takes some guys more time to learn more than others,” Gase said, via the Miami Herald. “Eventually you get tired of being the guy standing on the sideline. I do think he’s a little frustrated. He’s been the odd man out all the time. Eventually ... he will know how to push through certain kinds of pain.”
Jarvis Landry remains the top target in the Miami passing game, but the preseason has seen Ryan Tannehill look for Kenny Stills more often than Parker. The absences from practice may play a role in that, which gives Parker more incentive to figure out a way to remain on the field as much as possible in the weeks and months to come.