Unfortunately for the player, the team and fans of college football, the news on the DeVante Parker injury front isn’t good.
Louisville head coach Bobby Petrino announced Monday that the wide receiver has a broken bone in his fifth metatarsal in his left foot and will undergo surgery today. Because of the procedure and subsequent rehab, Parker will be out for a period of 6-8 weeks.
On the short end of that spectrum, Parker could return for the seventh game of the season against Clemson Oct. 11. At the long end of the timeline would be a return for the ninth game against Florida State. The Oct. 18 game against North Carolina State would be a possibility as well.
Regardless of when Parker returns, an despite depth at the position, it’s a significant blow to an offense that’s already looking to replace All-ACC quarterback Teddy Bridgewater in the program’s first season in the ACC.
“You’re never going to replace a guy like DeVante with one guy,” Petrino said. “We’ll need a lot of guys to step up in his absence.”
Parker suffered the injury during practice Friday night. Sunday, he traveled to Charlotte to be examined by Dr. Robert Anderson, a renowned orthopedic surgeon who specializes in foot and ankle injuries.
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 foregoing early entry into the NFL draft and returning for his senior season.