Petrino talks Gardner, Parker on teleconference

Louisville coach Bobby Petrino took a cautious approach to discussing DeVante Parker in Wednesday's ACC coaches teleconference.

Surely he knew someone would ask about Parker's status as he works his way back from a fractured bone in his foot. Parker practiced Tuesday and felt fine, but just like last week, he'll be evaluated each day and make a decision later this week as to whether or not he'll play on Saturday against North Carolina State.

"He's close," Petrino said. "He had a really good weekend ... I'm encouraged, but I was encouraged last week, too."

Parker practiced last week for the first time after missing six weeks while healing from surgery, but he missed Saturday's game at Clemson because he was still sore.

"He's a dynamic player with great ability," Petrino said. "His ability to get open and run after the catch is something we've missed."

Gardner starting again

Petrino also briefly talked about redshirt sophomore Will Gardner winning the starting quarterback job again after a strong relief appearance on Saturday.

Gardner, Petrino said, gives Louisville the best chance at throwing downfield, with or without Parker. Gardner was 10 of 16 for 150 yards and a touchdown at Clemson.

"Going back and evaluating everything on Saturday, we decided he should be the starter," Petrino said.

Both Petrino and offensive coordinator Garrick McGee have repeatedly said the past three days that Gardner's healthy after hurting his knee against FIU on Sept. 20.

Gardner was healthy and 100 percent before the Clemson game, but the staff started freshman Reggie Bonnafon.

Petrino on Wednesday said Louisville was "in a little bit of a groove" with Gardner before the knee injury. He had a solid game at FIU after a rough outing at Virginia the prior week.