McDaniel: Tua suffered concussion in loss

MIAMI GARDENS, Fla.>> Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa sustained his second concussion of the season in last week’s loss to Green Bay, Miami coach Mike McDaniel confirmed Wednesday.

Tagovailoa has not been officially ruled out for Sunday’s pivotal game at New England, though it’s unknown when the Dolphins will see him on the field again.

McDaniel said the Dolphins are moving forward with Teddy Bridgewater as their starter.

The NFL and the players association have launched a joint review of the application of the concussion protocol involving Tagovailoa.

Tagovailoa appeared to hit the back of his head against the ground when he was tackled in the second quarter against the Packers, but he never left the game and wasn’t immediately evaluated for a concussion.

Commanders turn to Wentz to start vs. Browns

ASHBURN, Va.>> Carson Wentz is set to start at quarterback for the Washington Commanders on Sunday against the Cleveland Browns.

The team on Wednesday announced coach Ron Rivera’s decision to switch from Taylor Heinicke to Wentz for what amounts to a must-win game in the NFC wild-card race.

“Where we are right now, I’m looking for a little bit of a spark, a little something different,” Rivera said after practice.

Chiefs expect Hardman back on field on Sunday

KANSAS CITY, Mo.>> The Kansas City Chiefs expect to have wide receiver Mecole Hardman on the field for the first time in nearly two months on Sunday when they play the Denver Broncos in the penultimate game of the regular season.

Hardman has been out since Nov. 6 with an abdominal injury that landed him on injured reserve.

Jets’ QB White excited to be back, ready to play

FLORHAM PARK, N.J.>> Mike White’s phone was flooded the past two weeks with texts from his friends with silly internet memes featuring “doctors” who could clear the New York Jets quarterback to play.

He can laugh now, especially after team doctors on Monday cleared White for contact and gave him the OK to play Sunday at Seattle after fractured ribs sidelined him the past two games.

“It was nice,” White said of receiving the news earlier this week. “It was cool. It’s a long time coming. Just excited to finally be back out there.”

Packers QB Rodgers now dealing with a knee issue

GREEN BAY, Wis.>> Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers already has played through a broken thumb and injured ribs this season.

Now he’s dealing with a knee issue as he attempts to keep the Packers in playoff contention.

Rodgers didn’t practice Wednesday because of the knee problem but says he has no worries about his availability for Sunday’s game against the Minnesota Vikings (12-3).

Browns DE Clowney back from concussion

BEREA, Ohio>> Cleveland Browns defensive end Jadeveon Clowney was back at practice Wednesday after missing one game with a concussion while starting left tackle Jedrick Wills Jr. sat out with a back issue.

Clowney didn’t play in last week’s 17-10 loss to New Orleans after sustaining a head injury on Dec. 17 against Baltimore.

Seattle’s Lockett catching passes after surgery

RENTON, Wash.>> Tyler Lockett was back catching passes and participating in the Seattle Seahawks walkthrough barely a week after having surgery to stabilize a broken bone in his left hand.

Seattle coach Pete Carroll said Lockett was able to participate without significant discomfort and both the player and coach are working under the impression Lockett will be able to play this week against the New York Jets.

— Denver Post wire services