Louisville Cardinals WR DeVante Parker injures foot
Star University of Louisville receiver DeVante Parker injured his left foot in practice on Friday, the school announced late Friday evening.
Parker was evaluated by U of L's team physicians and will visit a doctor in Charlotte, N.C., in the coming days for another opinion. No further information was included in the statement.
"I appreciate all the love," Parker tweeted late Friday night. "I'm fine."
The 6-foot-3, 208-pound senior is considered one of the most talented players on the team and has first-round NFL draft potential.
"He's really special," U of L coach Bobby Petrino said of Parker at ACC media day in late July.
"He has a combination of size and strength. He can really control his body and make different catches in the air. The thing that excites me as much as anything is his ability to run after the catch. He's a special talent."
With the extent of Parker's injury unclear, it's possible that Louisville will enter its first game week of the 2014 season without Parker and running back Michael Dyer, who suffered a quadriceps contusion during the team scrimmage last Saturday.
Dyer's status was considered "day-to-day" by U of L coach Bobby Petrino, and when asked if Dyer would be ready for the Sept. 1 season opener against Miami, Petrino responded, "I hope so."
Parker caught 55 passes for 885 yards last season and tied the school's single-season record with 12 touchdown receptions.
Louisville's receiving corps is thought to be its most valuable unit of players, with Parker being the centerpiece. Sophomore James Quick is expected to start at receiver, in addition to senior Eli Rogers.
Jeff Greer writes for the Louisville (Ky.) Courier-Journal.
