Dolphins’ Tagovailoa to sit out playoff game
Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa has not been cleared to return to football activities and was ruled out for Sunday’s playoff game against the Buffalo Bills as he remains in the NFL’s concussion protocol, coach Mike McDaniel said Wednesday.
The Dolphins are preparing for rookie Skylar Thompson to be their starter when they face the Bills for the third time this season. Backup Teddy Bridgewater is working his way back to full strength after dislocating the pinkie finger on his throwing hand.
McDaniel did not know if Tagovailoa would be able to travel with the team this weekend, and although he has not had any setbacks in the healing process, there are “compounding variables” at play that will keep him off the field indefinitely.
“He, himself, is learning that he needs to listen to the advice of doctors and medical professionals,” McDaniel said.
Tagovailoa was diagnosed with his second concussion of the season after a Week 16 loss to Green Bay and sat out the Dolphins’ final two games of the regular season.
Bills safety Damar Hamlin was released from a Buffalo hospital, more than a week after he went into cardiac arrest and had to be resuscitated during a game at Cincinnati, after his doctors said they completed a series of tests. Hamlin was going home after spending two days undergoing tests at Buffalo General Medical Center. He was transferred to Buffalo on Monday after spending last week at the University of Cincinnati Medical Center, where the 24-year-old from the Pittsburgh area experienced what doctors called “a remarkable recovery.” ... Lamar Jackson was again absent from practice during the portion open to reporters. The Baltimore Ravens quarterback hasn’t practiced since injuring a knee in a Dec. 4 win over Denver . ... The Ravens signed linebacker Roquan Smith to a contract extension, agreeing to a five-year deal worth $100 million, with $60 million in total guarantees. Smith arrived in a midseason trade from Chicago . ... The Carolina Panthers interviewed former Indianapolis Colts coach Frank Reich and have requested permission to interview Dallas Cowboys offensive coordinator Kellen Moore for their coaching vacancy, the Associated Press reported . ... Mike LaFleur is out as offensive coordinator of the New York Jets after two disappointing seasons, AP reported . ... Former Detroit Lions coach Jim Scwartz interviewed with the Cleveland Browns for their defensive coordinator position after coach Kevin Stefanski fired Joe Woods this week.