DeVante Parker Trade Rumors: Dolphins Have Talked to 'Several Teams' About WR
October 8, 2018
Miami Dolphins wide receiver DeVante Parker "might be the next player sent packing by head coach Adam Gase," according to The Athletic's Michael Lombardi.
Per that report, "The Dolphins have talked to several teams about trading Parker as they have been frustrated with him."
Adam Beasley of the Miami Herald offered a contradictory report, however:
Parker, 25, has played in just one game this season for the Dolphins, catching two passes for 40 yards.
According to Jason Lieser of the Palm Beach Post, it appeared that Gase gave Parker a pep talk at Friday's practice while the wide receiver was relegated to the stationary bike with a quadriceps injury. After that practice, Gase spoke about the exchange:
"I just want to make sure he doesn't get frustrated. This is a long season. You guys can see, we're at that point where everybody is banged up.
"I just don't want him getting too low thinking, 'Is this going to stop happening?' I mean, this is football. That's what happens. You've just got to keep taking care of your body, get as healthy as you can, because you’re never going to be 100 percent. And when you can go, be ready to go."
Injuries have played a major theme in Parker's young career, as he's now missed 10 games across his first four seasons. He's never quite lived up to expectations after being the No. 14 overall pick in the 2015 NFL draft, failing to ever reach 60 receptions, 750 receiving yards or five touchdowns in a season.
He was expected to be the team's top option in the pass game this year, with Jarvis Landry traded to the Cleveland Browns. Instead, a broken middle finger and his current quadriceps issues have limited him to one contest, leaving Kenny Stills and Albert Wilson as Ryan Tannehill's preferred targets.