MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. — Miami Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel said on Wednesday that quarterback Tua Tagovailoa remains in the NFL’s concussion protocol and has been ruled out for Sunday’s playoff game against the Buffalo Bills.
Tagovailoa has not yet been cleared to return to football activities.
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.
Around the Ravens’ camp
— Baltimore signed Roquan Smith to a contract extension. They agreed to a five-year 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.
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The 25-year-old Smith was the NFL’s third-leading tackler this season. He played the first eight games this season for Chicago before being dealt to the Ravens. Since the trade, Baltimore has allowed just 14.7 points per game.
— Ravens Cornerback Brandon Stephens became “acutely ill” at the team hotel before Sunday’s game at Cincinnati and was taken to a hospital for evaluation. The team said Stephens remained in Cincinnati for treatment but is now back in Baltimore and feeling better.
— Lamar Jackson was again absent from practice during the portion open to reporters. The Baltimore star hasn’t practiced since injuring his knee in a Dec. 4 win over Denver. There was no sign of him Wednesday as the Ravens prepared for Sunday night’s playoff opener at Cincinnati. Jackson missed the final five games of the regular season.
Bengals’ O-line replacements
With guard Alex Cappa now sidelined, Cincinnati is faced with starting two backups on the right side of the offensive line for Sunday’s playoff game.
Coach Zac Taylor said Wednesday that Cappa’s injury, suffered in last week’s game, will keep him out of at least the opening playoff game against the Ravens. Cappa’s injury came two weeks after right tackle La’el Collins was lost for the season to a knee injury.
Hakeem Adeniji is playing in place of Collins. Slotting in for Cappa will be Max Scharping, who was claimed off waivers in September.
Bills’ Hyde, Crowder practicing
Buffalo opened the window of possibility for starting safety Micah Hyde and backup receiver Jamison Crowder to return from injury at some point during the playoffs after both were cleared Wednesday to return to practice.
Hyde has been out since he required surgery to repair a herniated disc after being hurt in a 41-7 win against Tennessee in Week 2.
Crowder has been sidelined since breaking his ankle in a win over Baltimore two weeks later.
Both remain on the injured reserve list, but are eligible to resume practicing over a three-week period after which the Bills have the option of activating them to the roster or ending their season.
Schwartz 1st to meet with Browns
Jim Schwartz is getting the first crack to prove to Cleveland that he can fix its troubled defense as the defensive coordinator. Schwartz began his NFL career as a scout with the Browns in the 1990s and has built an impressive resume in the past three decades.
The 56-year-old has worked as a senior advisor with the Tennessee Titans for the past two seasons.
The Browns have also requested interviews with Steelers senior defensive assistant Brian Flores, Patriots linebackers coach Jerod Mayo and Seahawks associate head coach Sean Desai.
Skills competitions announced
The NFL has announced all eight skills competitions for the Pro Bowl.
Five of the events will be Feb. 2 at Intermountain Healthcare Performance Center, the headquarters for the Las Vegas Raiders. The rest are Feb. 5 at Las Vegas’ Allegiant Stadium.
Seven-on-seven flag football games will highlight the events at the stadium. Those take the place of the traditional Pro Bowl game. Tickets are on sale for the Feb. 5 events.
Panthers to interview Reich
A person familiar with the situation said Carolina is interviewing former Indianapolis Colts head coach Frank Reich and has requested permission to interview Dallas Cowboys offensive coordinator Kellen Moore for their head coaching vacancy.
Panthers owner David Tepper appears to have locked in on candidates with offensive backgrounds if he doesn’t bring back interim head coach Steve Wilks.
On Tuesday, the Panthers requested permission to interview four other offensive coordinators — Philadelphia’s Shane Steichen, Buffalo’s Ken Dorsey, Detroit’s Ben Johnson and the New York Giants’ Mike Kafka.
LaFleur out as Jets OC
A person with knowledge of the decision told The Associated Press that Mike LaFleur is out as offensive coordinator of the New York Jets after two seasons.
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 as Robert Saleh’s Jets finished 7-10 with a season-ending six-game losing streak.
The Jets and LaFleur agreed to part ways Wednesday after a few other teams inquired about the embattled offensive coordinator.
Vikings’ offensive line in flux
Minnesota could be looking at fill-ins at center and right tackle against the New York Giants’ talented defensive front as the Vikings hosts New York Sunday afternoon in the playoffs.
Center Garrett Bradbury returned to practice Wednesday after missing the final five games of the regular season. Backup tackle Blake Brandel was also designated to return from injured reserve.
Brian O’Neill and Austin Schlottman were placed on injured reserve last week, leaving third-string center Chris Reed and backup tackle Oli Udoh to start last week at Chicago.