Dolphins GM Grier: Tua Tagovailoa Is Our Starting Quarterback

Wednesday, Jan. 11

Tagovailoa Ruled Out

Quarterback Tua Tagovailoa (concussion protocol) won't play in the Dolphins' playoff matchup with the Bills on Sunday, coach Mike McDaniel told reporters. Skylar Thompson is expected to start.

Tagovailoa last played on Christmas Day against the Green Bay Packers. He didn't show any concussion symptoms during the game, but the next day, he showed symptoms during a meeting prompting the team to enter him into concussion protocol. The Dolphins have said there is no timeline for his return.

Thompson has a record of 1-1 as a starter this season, with his lone win coming in Week 18 against the Jets to clinch a playoff berth. The Dolphins didn't score an offensive touchdown as they won 11-6.

Jackson 'Faces Uphill Battle' To Play vs. Bengals

Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson "faces an uphill battle" to play on Sunday against the Bengals in the wild-card round, NFL Media reported.

Jackson has missed the last five weeks while recovering from a sprained PCL suffered against the Broncos in Week 13. He was expected to return for Sunday's game, but he faced a setback in the last 24 hours putting his availability in question. He was not seen at the open portion of practice which furthered speculation of him missing Sunday's game.

Tyler Huntley, who also missed practice with a shoulder injury, and Anthony Brown have started in his absence, but they've struggled to score points consistently. With Jackson starting, the Ravens average 23.6 points per game. With Huntley or Brown starting, they average 13 points per game.

Chargers' Williams Remains out of Practice

The L.A. Chargers were without star receiver Mike Williams once again in practice on Wednesday NFL Media reported, the second straight day he has not been able to suit up ahead of Saturday night's Wild Card game against the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Williams suffered a back injury during the team's Week 18 loss to the Denver Broncos, in which coach Brandon Staley opted to play the majority of his key players for much of a game despite the Chargers having already clinched one of the Wild Card spots in the postseason. Staley still anticipates Williams will return to the practice field ahead of the contest.

Ravens' CB Released From Hospital

Cornerback Brandon Stephens was released from a Cincinnati area hospital after becoming acutely ill on Sunday morning before Baltimore's game against the Bengals, the Ravens announced.

Stephens remained in Cincinnati for treatment but has now returned to Baltimore. It's unclear if Stephens will be available for the team's playoff game against the Bengals on Sunday.

Coaching Staffs for East-West Shrine Game Selected

The New England Patriots and Atlanta Falcons coaching staffs will be coaching two teams of college seniors in the East-West Shrine game on Feb. 2, NFL Media reported.

This will mark the first time in the 98-year history of the event that two full coaching staffs will be in charge of teams for the event. Coaches Arthur Smith and Bill Belichick will be present but will take on advisor roles as members of their coaching staff are put in more prominent positions to coach the two teams participating.

Pro Bowl Skills Competitions Announced

The NFL announced what the Pro Bowl skills competitions will be this season. The competitions will include dodgeball, precision passing drills, best catch drills and kicking tic-tac-toe among others.

The Pro Bowl will be on Feb. 5 at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas and will include a seven-on-seven flag football game with coaches Peyton Manning and Eli Manning leading the teams.