Dolphins could get DeVante Parker, starting center back for Giants game

The Miami Dolphins hope a couple of the team’s season-opening starters might return to the lineup in time for Sunday’s home game against the New York Giants.

Receiver DeVante Parker and centers Michael Deiter and Greg Mancz, who have each started games this season for Miami’s troublesome offensive line, participated in a full week of practice, and are all eligible to come off the injured reserve list.

The Dolphins have one vacancy on the 53-man roster, and the hope is that the team’s decision-makers will be able to regain at least one of those injured former starters. It’s possible that they could promote two, but that would require the Dolphins put a player on waivers or place an injured player on injured reserve.

Rookie cornerback Trill Williams, who has been sidelined by a hamstring injury the past two weeks, could potentially be placed on injured reserve to create a second roster spot. Williams attended Friday’s practice, and participated on a limited basis. He’s listed as doubtful for Sunday’s game.

The return of Parker, Deiter and Mancz could boost the Dolphins’ offensive productivity, which has been on the upswing since Tua Tagovailoa’s return as the team’s starter.

Parker, who has caught 25 passes for 327 yards and scored one touchdown in the five games he’s played in 2021, was the team’s leading receiver before a hamstring injury led to him missing games, and eventually being placed on injured reserve at the end of October.

Parker’s return would allow tight end Mike Gesicki to return to his role as the team’s primary H-back and flex weapon. Gesicki has been playing on the boundary as a traditional receiver the past month.

The Dolphins must elevate a player from injured reserve by 4 p.m. on Saturday to make him available for Sunday’s game.

The Dolphins are on a bye next week, so whoever plays on Sunday would have an extra week to recover before the Dec. 27 “Monday Night Football” game against the New Orleans Saints.

Lindsay is doubtful for Giants game

Phillip Lindsay returned to practice after sitting out Thursday’s walk-through, but it appears the ankle injury he seemingly suffered in practice will keep him out of Sunday’s game because he’s listed as doubtful.

Lindsay, who was added last week after being waived by the Houston Texans and claimed off the waiver wire, gained 42 yards on 12 carries in Miami’s win over the Carolina Panthers.

If Lindsay can’t play, the Dolphins would likely carry Myles Gaskin, Salvon Ahmed and Patrick Laird to the game, and Duke Johnson, the former University of Miami standout, might be called up from the practice squad for his second game this season.

Also listed as doubtful is tight end Adam Shaheen, who has been nursing a knee injury that kept him sidelined last week.

Hunter Long, the Dolphins’ 2021 third-round pick, replaced Shaheen last week, playing for 24 offensive snaps. It was Long’s fourth NFL game, and first in five weeks.

“I thought he did some nice things,” Dolphins coach Brian Flores said. “He was excited to get out there and there were definitely some things that he can improve on, which we made those corrections. He was ready when his number was called. We’ll see how Adam feels today. Again, I know we mentioned those other guys, but it’s a big day for him too and we’ll see how it goes.”

Safety Brandon Jones, who was shelved last week because of an elbow injury, is listed as questionable this week, as is outside linebacker Jaelan Phillips, who is nursing a hip injury. Jones and Phillips were limited in practice all week.

Starting right guard Robert Hunt, whose participation in practice was limited this week because of a back injury, is expected to play on Sunday.