Day 5 of the Dolphins' preseason training camp came to a close on Tuesday, with one glaring absence.
First-round pick DaVante Parker was once again unable to participate after an offseason foot surgery on June 5. His expected timeline for a return was Miami's Week 1 game against Washington, but that too has come into question as of late.
Head coach Joe Philbin remains unsure if the 22-year-old will receive any reps this preseason.
"It's hard to say; we're not sure exactly when he's going to get back," Philbin said Tuesday, per ESPN. "I don't know if he's going to practice, how much he's going to practice, if he's going to play in the preseason? Those are all hypotheticals."
Parker cannot run full speed, but is walking fine and no longer wearing a boot according to reports.
"I’m here to compete." @_RMatthews: https://t.co/ykzY2RD9oM pic.twitter.com/Ej4iBwCvzg
— Miami Dolphins (@MiamiDolphins) August 5, 2015
Benefiting from his absence is a formerly disgruntled Rishard Matthews. The former seventh-round pick is taking advantage of his added reps and intends to compete for a starting role this season.
"I believe I've done a good job taking advantage of it," Matthews told CBS Miami. "Today [Tuesday] I had a few drops that I wish I could take back, but overall I'm just trying to show the coaches that I'm here to compete and I want to be out on the field on gameday and I believe I'm doing a good job of that so far."
#Dolphins WR Rishard Matthews with a red-zone TD from QB Ryan Tannehill. Solid plays so far from Matthews.
— James Walker (@JamesWalkerNFL) August 5, 2015
Adding to Matthews' case is the rapport he's built with Ryan Tannehill. The duo—drafted together in 2012—combined for a TD in the final 11-on-11 session on Tuesday.
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