The pressure is on for the Miami Dolphins to perform this season after spending big bucks in the offseason. The offense has been an area of focus as the franchise re-signed Ryan Tannehill to a long-term contract and traded away a good portion of their wide receiver group. After the departures of Brian Hartline, Brandon Gibson and Mike Wallace, DeVante Parker was drafted in the first-round and then promptly went down with an injury. However, Parker's recovery appears to be going much faster than expected.
According to MFL Media Insider Ian Rapoport, Parker was taken off the PUP list and activated to the roster on Wednesday after having surgery in June to repair a foot injury. Parker's return was uncertain at the time. The receiver underwent the same surgery that Atlanta Falcons' star Julio Jones had that caused him to miss 11 weeks of the 2013 season. However Parker is now activated and Rapoport reports that he is on schedule to return for the first game of the season.
The return of Parker is critical for the Dolphins. The former Louisville standout is expected to be an immediate starter for the Dolphins alongside Jarvis Landry. Miami traded for Kenny Stills and acquired Greg Jennings in the offseason, but those two young receivers are expected to be the primary playmakers. The Dolphins opted not to sign free agents when Parker went down with the injury. After looking at Reggie Wayne and Wes Welker for help, the did not sign anyone and now the return of Parker helps that effort.
The Dolphins still have questions to answer. Their offensive line continues to be a weakness for the team. According to the Miami Sun Sentinel, the Dolphins are not ruling out the addition of either Evan Mathis or Jake Long, but they need price tags to go down first. Tannehill denied that the offensive line was a real issue, stating to the media that he felt protected.
"I feel safe," Tannehill said, via the Palm Beach Post. "I'm not sure who's going to end up being in those spots, but those guys are competing and they're facing one of the best, if not the best, D-tackles in the league. So it's not always going to be pretty, no matter who's up there."
The Dolphins also have questions in the run game. While Lamar Miller is the clear starter for the team, both Jay Ajayi and LaMichael James are struggling to earn the backup role. Head coach Joe Philbin told the media that both rushers need to improve on blocking or they will not see the field. That leaves a lack of a quality backup for Miller to work with.
