CONCUSSED TUA OUT OF PRO BOWL
Multiple outlets reported Friday that Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa remains in the NFL’s concussion protocol and won’t participate in the Pro Bowl on Feb. 5.
Tagovailoa was diagnosed with his second concussion of the season after a loss to the Packers on Dec. 25. He missed the Dolphins’ final three games, two in the regular season and a playoff loss to the Bills.
Tagovailoa had been selected as a first alternate to the Pro Bowl and would have replaced either the Bengals’ Joe Burrow or the Chiefs’ Patrick Mahomes, one of whom will play in the Super Bowl on Feb. 12 after the AFC Championship Game on Sunday.
The Dolphins repeatedly have said that they remain committed to Tagovailoa, who led the NFL in passer rating and threw for 3,548 yards and 25 touchdowns this season, as their starter for 2023.
General manager Chris Grier said that after having conversations with doctors provided through the NFL Players Association, the Dolphins don’t think Tagovailoa is more susceptible to concussions than any other player.
CHIEFS TE KELCE QUESTIONABLE
The Chiefs might be without tight end Travis Kelce for the AFC Championship Game on Sunday against the Bengals.
Despite being a full participant in practice, Kelce was a late addition to the Chiefs’ injury report. He is listed as questionable because of a back injury, though specifics of the injury weren’t immediately known.
Kelce had 1,338 yards receiving and a career-high 12 touchdowns this season. He had 98 yards and two touchdowns on 14 catches in the Chiefs’ playoff victory last Saturday against the Jaguars.
The Chiefs also listed receivers Mecole Hardman (pelvis) and Justin Watson (illness) as questionable.
TEXANS EYEING 49ERS DC RYANS AS COACH
NFL Network, citing sources it didn’t identify, reported 49ers defensive coordinator DeMeco Ryans has emerged as a top candidate for the Texans’ head-coaching job.
Ryan’s ties to the Texans date to his playing days. The Texans drafted the former linebacker in the second round in 2006 and immediately reaped the rewards, watching him earn Defensive Rookie of the Year. He spent six seasons with the Texans, reaching the Pro Bowl twice, before departing for the Eagles, for whom he finished his 10-year career.
Ryans transitioned into coaching and steadily climbed the ranks, replacing Jets coach Robert Saleh as the 49ers’ defensive coordinator in 2021 and picking up where Saleh left off. He has overseen a top-three defense in both his seasons in the role, including the No. 1 defense this season.
MORE COACHING NEWS
Former Panthers interim head coach Steve Wilks said he is ‘‘disappointed but not defeated’’ that he didn’t land the team’s full-time position. The Panthers announced Thursday that they had agreed to hire former Colts coach Frank Reich for the job.
‘‘The sun rose this morning and by the grace of God so did I,’’ Wilks, who led the Panthers to a 6-6 record after taking over for fired Matt Rhule in Week 6, said in a tweet. ‘‘Many people aren’t built for this, but I know what it means to persevere and see it through.’’
◆ The Rams hired former Jets offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur to the same position. He will replace Liam Coen, who left after one season to return to his old job as the offensive coordinator at Kentucky.
◆ The Falcons hired Saints co-defensive coordinator and defensive line coach Ryan Nielsen to be their defensive coordinator. Nielsen replaces Dean Pees, who retired Jan. 9 at 73 after two seasons in the role. ✶