Patriots' DeVante Parker 'feeling pretty good' after missing season opener due to a knee injury
FOXBOROUGH, Mass – DeVante Parker stepped out onto the field for the first time with the New England Patriots for the 2023 season, and the veteran receiver did not disappoint. Despite missing the season opener due to a knee injury, he was ready to go for Sunday's game against the Miami Dolphins, saying that nothing […]
FOXBOROUGH, Mass – DeVante Parker stepped out onto the field for the first time with the New England Patriots for the 2023 season, and the veteran receiver did not disappoint.
Despite missing the season opener due to a knee injury, he was ready to go for Sunday's game against the Miami Dolphins, saying that nothing was holding him back.
"I'm feeling pretty good. It's just nice being out there with my teammates, and I'm just grinding," Parker told A to Z Sports. "Yeah, my knee, it was great. I felt good. Like I said, I'm just glad to be back out there."
Parker lead the Patriots in receiving yards in the 24-17 loss to the Dolphins, finishing with 57 yards across 6 receptions.
He was the only receiver in the top three, with tight ends Hunter Henry and Mike Gesicki following behind him on the stats sheet.
And one of his other teammates, didn't hesitate when asked about what if felt like having Parker back out with the team.
"It was good to have out guy back," Kendrick Bourne said. "He's really, really a good part of our team and you can feel his presence."
It seemed fitting that Parker made his 2023 debut against his former team, having been drafted by the Dolphins in 2015 and playing with them until 2021.
He was traded to the Patriots in 2022, and has proven to be a top target for quarterback Mac Jones.
While there is still a piece missing from the offense, not being able to complete the comeback in back-to-back games, having Parker back is a major plus and will certainly come in handy as they look to turn a new page with plenty of games remaining this season.
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Featured Image via Paul Rutherford-USA TODAY Sports
