Hamlin is released from Buffalo hospital

Bills safety Damar Hamlin was released from a Buffalo hospital Wednesday, 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.

A news release from the Bills quoted Dr. Jamie Nadler as saying: “We have completed a series of tests and evaluation and in consultation with the team physicians, we are confident that Damar can be safely discharged.”

Nadler said Hamlin will continue his rehabilitation with the Bills.

Hamlin is going home after spending two days undergoing tests at Buffalo General Medical Center. He was transferred to Buffalo after spending last week at the University of Cincinnati Medical Center, where the 24-yearold from the Pittsburgh area had what doctors called “a remarkable recovery.”

Hamlin collapsed on the field after being struck in the chest by Bengals receiver Tee Higgins while making what appeared to be a routine tackle during the first quarter of Buffalo’s since-canceled game at Cincinnati Jan. 2.

He spent the first two days in hospital under sedation. He was awakened and able to grip people’s hands at his bedside, and eventually was taken off a ventilator and was able to address his teammates Friday.

Tagovailoa ruled out

Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa has not been cleared to return to football activities and was ruled out for Sunday’s playoff game against the Bills as he remains in the NFL’s concussion protocol, coach Mike McDaniel said.

The Dolphins are preparing for rookie Skylar Thompson to be their starter. Backup Teddy Bridgewater is working his way back to full strength after dislocating his pinkie finger.

McDaniel said he 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” 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. “He understands the severity of doing that, so there’s a little bit of things that he can’t control.”

Tagovailoa was diagnosed with his second concussion of the season after a Week 16 loss to Green Bay and missed the final two games of the season.

Jackson not at practice

When it comes to Lamar Jackson, no news feels like bad news for Baltimore fans.

The Ravens practiced in preparation for their playoff opener at Cincinnati, and Jackson again was absent. If there was any remaining hope that the star quarterback could make a dramatic return for the postseason at full strength, that took a substantial hit. In fact, nothing seemed to have changed.

Coach John Harbaugh said there was no real update on the injured knee that kept Jackson out for the final five games of the season — although he did indicate that he could be comfortable putting a player on the field for a game if he’s not quite 100 percent.

Still, right now Jackson hasn’t even made it back onto the practice field, much less shown that he can contribute in a game in any significant way. He hasn’t practiced since injuring his knee in a Dec. 4 win over Denver.

Tyler Huntley, who started four games in Jackson’s absence, has been dealing with shoulder issues and did not play in the regular-season finale at Cincinnati. Anthony Brown started that game. Huntley was limited in practice Wednesday.

The Ravens signed Roquan Smith to a contract extension, agreeing to a fiveyear deal with the star linebacker who arrived in a midseason trade from Chicago and helped his new team secure a playoff spot with a stout defensive effort down the stretch.

Smith, 25, was the NFL’s third-leading tackler this season.

LaFleur out as Jets OC

Mike LaFleur is out as offensive coordinator of the Jets after two seasons, according to a person with knowledge of the decision.

LaFleur's future with the team was uncertain after Zach Wilson struggled mightily in his second season and the offense was among the worst in the NFL for two straight years. The Jets finished 7-10 with a season-ending sixgame losing streak.

The Jets and LaFleur agreed to part ways after a few other teams inquired about the embattled offensive coordinator, the person told the Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the team didn’t announce the move.