The Sports Xchange

The Miami Dolphins on Monday fired coach Joe Philbin and named tight ends coach Dan Campbell interim coach. Campbell will remain in the position for the rest of the season.

The 1-3 Dolphins are coming off a 27-14 loss to the New York Jets on Sunday in London. Despite rumors of his demise immediately after the game, Philbin remained confident that he still would be the coach when Miami played the Titans in Tennessee on Oct. 18. The Dolphins have a bye this week.

But team owner Stephen Ross felt differently and by making the change now he hopes the season can be salvaged.

In turning the reins over to Campbell, Ross has put his trust in a 39-year-old disciplinarian who played with four teams from 1999-2009.

–Indianapolis Colts quarterback Andrew Luck will prepare as the starter for Thursday’s game at Houston.

Luck has a subluxation, or partial separation, of his right throwing shoulder. He did not play Sunday in the Colts’ 16-13 overtime win. The injury typically heals with rest and treatment over time, and the length of recovery depends on the severity of the initial injury.

One hint the Colts could be optimistic about Luck starting at Houston — they released quarterback Josh Johnson, the player signed to be the No. 2 quarterback on Sunday with Luck on the sideline.

The Colts also signed defensive end Earl Okine to the practice squad.

–Quarterback Ryan Mallett will get the start when the 1-3 Houston Texans play host to the Colts Thursday night.

Texans coach Bill O’Brien made the announcement during a news conference Monday. He stressed Mallett must play better to keep his job.

–The Dallas Cowboys are expecting to learn that running back Lance Dunbar will be lost for the season with an ACL injury in his left knee.

Coach Jason Garrett said he believes that an MRI exam will confirm the initial evaluation. Dunbar was injured while returning a kickoff in Sunday’s game against the New Orleans Saints.

–Washington Redskins tight end Jordan Reed is in the NFL’s concussion protocol and also has a knee injury.

Reed suffered a concussion during Sunday’s victory over the Philadelphia Eagles. He also was diagnosed with a sprained MCL in his right knee.

Reed has experienced concussion issues in the past. He missed the final six games in 2013 due to two concussions in a three-week span.

–Add another name to the list of kickers looking for work: Kyle Brindza, who was released after missing three kicks for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Sunday’s loss.

Brindza missed two field goals and an extra point attempt Sunday against the Panthers and was 6 of 12 on field-goal attempts this season. He missed two PAT tries.

The Buccaneers also waived wide receiver Adam Humphries, who played in three games, catching two passes for 14 yards.

–New York Giants tight end Daniel Fells was placed on injured reserve and will be lost for the season.

Fells developed a staph infection in his injured ankle and had spent the weekend “addressing” the foot infection. The Giants say Fells was being treated for a chronic ankle problem when the staph infection was discovered.

The seven-year veteran is the Giants’ best blocking tight end and his loss could be a blow to the running game.

–The Jacksonville Jaguars’ starting right guard Brandon Linder will be placed on injured reserve this week with a torn labrum.

Linder did not play in Sunday’s 16-13 overtime loss to the Indianapolis Colts. Now he is apparently lost for the season.