The Dolphins’ best offensive weapon knocked from Jets game with head injury
The Dolphins just cannot have nice things this year.
Even their feel-good stories have had unfortunate plot twists.
The latest: DeVante Parker, who was knocked from the first half of Sunday’s game with the Jets with a head injury.
The Dolphins announced that he was being evaluated for a concussion after team medical personnel escorted him to the locker room for further evaluation. The tests came back positive and he did not return.
Bad became worse for Miami’s offense when Albert Wilson left the game late in the first half with a head injury of his own. Medical professionals determined Wilson also suffered a concussion and was ruled out of the game.
That left the Dolphins with a lean group of receivers: Allen Hurns, Isaiah Ford and Mack Hollins.
Ford responded with easily the most productive game in his career, catching six passes for 92 yards. He had just two catches for nine yards, total, as a pro before Sunday.
Ford said his mindset was “just to stay ready. That’s been my mindset this entire year, be ready when my number is called. Take advantage of it. There were some things I could do better today.”
When asked if Ford, who has been on and off the Dolphins’ roster all season, proved anything to himself Sunday, he responded:
“No. I’ve had confidence in myself that I can play at this level, help my team win. I got that opportunity today.”
Hurns also stepped up with Parker and Wilson out, catching five passes for 68 yards. What’s more, rookie running back Patrick Laird pitched in 86 all-purpose yards in his first NFL start.
What makes Parker’s injury that much more aggravating for Dolphins fans: He finally was putting together a healthy season after missing games in each of his first four years due to medical issues.
Parker got hurt while pulling in a 21-yard catch down the right sideline midway through the second quarter.
Parker entered the game as the team’s leader in catches, receiving yards and touchdowns.
This story was originally published December 8, 2019 at 2:07 PM.
