Star Louisville wide receiver DeVante Parker will miss 6-8 weeks with a broken toe in his left foot. He injured the toe in a practice on Friday night, and after meeting with a foot specialist in Charlotte, North Carolina, this weekend, he found out that he needs surgery to fix it. Parker’s surgery is scheduled for Monday night.
Parker, a senior who turned down a chance to be a high NFL Draft choice to return this season, was a preseason All-ACC selection. He led the Cardinals with 55 catches for 885 yards and 12 touchdowns in 2013.
Parker will miss several key games for Louisville while he recovers. The Cardinals open their season this Monday against Miami. They have four conference games in the first six weeks of the season — more than any other team in the conference. Louisville plays at Clemson and vs. NC State in weeks seven and eight before its first bye week on Oct. 25.
The burden to fill the void of Parker’s production falls largely on Kai De La Cruz. He caught 15 passes for 271 yards and three touchdowns last season. Senior Eli Rogers and sophomore James Quick are slotted to start at the other wide receiver positions, and they assume more significant roles now, too.