Dolphins rule out Tua for postseason opener

Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa hasn’t 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 announced 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 his pinky finger.

McDaniel said he didn’t know if Tagovailoa would be able to travel with the team this weekend, and although he hasn’t had any setbacks in the healing process, there are “compounding variables” at play that will keep him off the field indefinitely.

“He is learning that he needs to listen to the advice of doctors,” McDaniel said.

Tagovailoa was diagnosed with his second concussion of the season after a Week 16 loss to the

Packers and missed the Dolphin’s final two games of the regular season.

„ The Jets and offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur agreed to part ways. LaFleur had served in the role the last two seasons. The Jets finished 29th in scoring and 25th in total yards this season after finishing 28th and 26th in 2021.

Baseball: The Padres and slugger Nelson Cruz agreed to a one-year, $1 million contract, ESPN reported. The 42-yearold Cruz will be the second-oldest player in the big leagues this year behind Pirates LHP Rich Hill, who turns 43 in March.

College football: South Carolina QB Spencer Rattler will return for his senior season. Rattler, who transferred from Oklahoma last offseason, threw for 3,026 yards with 18 TDs and 12 INTs this season. ... Northwestern has hired an independent attorney to investigate an allegation of hazing within its program, the school said in a statement to ESPN.