Tagovailoa set to start for Miami

Tua Tagovailoa will make his first NFL start next week for the Dolphins, who are turning to him to replace Ryan Fitzpatrick, a person familiar with the team’s decision said Oct. 20.

The person confirmed the decision to The Associated Press on condition on anonymity because the Dolphins hadn’t made an announcement.

The change by coach Brian Flores will come after the Dolphins’ bye this week and has been long anticipated, but the timing is surprising because the team won its past two games to improve to 3-3. Tagovailoa will start at home against the Los Angeles Rams on Nov. 1.

Tagovailoa made his pro debut in mop-up duty at the end of Miami’s 24-0 victory Sunday over the New York Jets. He will become the 22nd quarterback to start for the Dolphins since Dan Marino retired following the 1999 season.

Touted as a potential franchise quarterback, the dynamic Tagovailoa raises the profile of a team that has been off the NFL radar for much of the past two decades. He was drafted in April with the fifth overall pick — the highest choice Miami has devoted to a QB since Bob Griese in 1967.

Tagovailoa is coming back from a serious hip injury that cut short his Alabama career last November. The recovery slowed his preparation to assume a starting NFL job, as did the coronavirus pandemic that forced the cancellation of offseason drills and exhibition games.

Fitzpatrick, 37, described himself during training camp as a placeholder. He is being benched even though he ranks fifth in the NFL in completion percentage, and the Dolphins are on pace for their highest-scoring season since 1986 at 26.7 points per game.

Tagovailoa went 2 for 2 for 9 yards against the Jets, and after the game spent several minutes sitting alone on the field and on his phone with his parents.

RAMS SIGN FORBATH » The Rams have signed veteran kicker Kai Forbath from the Bears’ practice squad after a rocky start to the season for rookie Samuel Sloman. The Rams kept Sloman on their active roster Oct. 20. They also placed linebacker Ogbonnia Okoronkwo on injured reserve. Los Angeles drafted Sloman in the seventh round out of Miami of Ohio, but he has missed three of his 18 extrapoint attempts this season, including a blocked try against the 49ers Oct. 18 in the Rams’ 24-16 loss. Only Kansas City’s Harrison Butker has missed more extra points this season.

BEARS SIGN TEO » The Bears signed former Notre Dame star linebacker Manti Teo to their practice squad Oct. 20. A 2012 Heisman Trophy finalist also known for his internet relationship with a person falsely posing as a woman stricken with leukemia, Teo has made 48 starts and 62 appearances over seven seasons with the then-San Diego Chargers (2013-16) and Saints (2017-19). He has 307 tackles — 22 for loss — along with 13 pass breakups and two interceptions.

NBA

PACERS HIRE BJORKGREN » Indiana wanted its next coach to take the franchise in a new direction. The Pacers were seeking someone who could communicate with today’s players, who was open to a new offensive philosophy and who could win some postseason games. On Oct. 20, president of basketball operations Kevin Pritchard found his man in Toronto assistant Nate Bjorkgren. “Nate is the right coach for us at the right time,” Pritchard said in a statement released by the team. “He comes from a winning background, has experienced championship success, is innovative and his communication skills along with his positivity are tremendous.” Terms were not immediately available though several reports said the 45-yearold Bjorkgren agreed to a multi-year deal. He comes to Indiana after spending two seasons as an assistant on Nick Nurse’s staff in Toronto.