This one has the potential to be a very significant blow to one of the most talented players in the country.
Late Friday night, Louisville sent out a press release announcing that DeVante Parker had suffered an injury to his left foot earlier in the day. The release stated that the star wide receiver was examined by UofL team physicians, but will be sent to Charlotte “in the next couple of days” for further evaluation by Dr. Bob Anderson.
Dr. Anderson is a renowned orthopedic surgeon who specializes in ankle and foot injuries. According to SBNation.com, “Anderson has recently seen and/or operated on Derek Jeter, Matt Schaub, Cam Newton and Julio Jones for their serious ankle or foot injuries.”
For his part, Parker attempted to downplay the growing gloom and doom hovering over Papa John’s Cardinal Stadium.
I appreciate all the love. I'm fine.
— DeVante Parker (@DeVanteParker11) August 23, 2014
That’s all well and good, but a football program doesn’t send their star receiver out of state to see a foot specialist for a stubbed toe or athlete’s foot.
Perhaps the only silver lining in all of the uncertainty swirling around Parker is that, if he is sidelined for any length of time, the receiving corps is arguably the deepest unit the Cardinals have. Then again, none of them will answer if you call out the name “Devante Parker.”
Last season, the 6-3, 211-pound Parker ended the year with 55 receptions for 885 yards and a school-record-tying 12 touchdowns. The last three years, Parker’s led the UofL in touchdown receptions. The last two, he’s led the team in both receptions and yards as well.
He’s widely regarded as one of the top receivers in the country entering 2014 after eschewing early entry into the NFL draft and returning for his senior season.
Louisville opens the season against Miami on Labor Day.