New Dolphins coach Adam Gase is tired of wide receiver DeVante Parker's constant injuries.
Parker, who will sit out Thursday’s preseason finale after tweaking his left hamstring Monday in practice, is starting to build a reputation as an injury-prone player. Parker already missed several weeks of training camp with a hamstring injury, and a foot issue cost him most of his rookie NFL season.
MORE: 32 teams, 32 fantasy sleepers
Gase is fed up with the nagging injuries, and on Tuesday he implored Parker to make sure he stays on the field. He even threw Broncos star Demaryius Thomas under the bus to do it. Gase coached Thomas in Denver from 2010-14.
“We’re going to keep strengthening him up," Gase said of Parker, per the Miami Herald. “I feel like I’ve been through this with Demaryius in Denver. Felt like he was always hurt. One thing after the other. Sometimes it takes some guys more time to learn more than others. Eventually you get tired of being the guy standing on the sideline.
MORE: SN ranks all 32 NFL head coaches
"I do think (Parker is) a little frustrated. He’s been the odd man out all the time. Eventually … he will know how to push through certain kinds of pain."
Those are harsh words for a player picked in the first round last year — albeit not by Gase. Parker has already been passed on the depth chart by Kenny Stills after many predicted him to break out this season.
Entering your coach's doghouse is never a good way to start a season, but Parker has the explosive talent to earn back a starting role. Just as long as he can stay on the field.