Denver Broncos defensive coordinator Wade Phillips was carted off the field on a stretcher after he was upended by a San Diego defensive player who was blocked into the Denver sideline.
The Broncos confirmed that he was taken to an area hospital, and CBS broadcasters said that he had feeling in his extremities.
Head coach Gary Kubiak told CBS Sports that Phillips will be fine, and he conveyed that message to Broncos players during halftime.
Broadcaster 9 News reported that he was talking with his wife in an ambulance.
San Diego Chargers running back Melvin Gordon was blocked into the sideline while he was trying to catch the Broncos’ Bradley Roby during an interception return.
In the incident, Gordon hit Phillips at full speed, and the back of the 69-year-old coach’s head slammed against the ground.
“Saw his eyes open, he was answering questions from the team’s medical staff as they load him on the cart they will take him immediately off the field,” CBS Sports reporter Jamie Erdhal said.
Players surrounded Phillips, and after about five minutes, he was secured to a backboard, before he was carted off the field. He pointed his index finger in the air as he was being taken to the locker room.
Former Cowboys coach Wade Phillips taken off in stretcher after scary hit https://t.co/IHPYIUdESK pic.twitter.com/8PcC58QfJe
— Dallas Cowboys Fans (@NFLCowboysFans) October 30, 2016
Broncos defensive coordinator Wade Phillips was carted off after a sideline collision with a player https://t.co/9URA9sLqFh pic.twitter.com/z97TtzuvRX
— Sports Illustrated (@SInow) October 30, 2016
Phillips won’t likely return. Reggie Herring is now calling plays for the Broncos.
In last season’s playoffs, Steelers receiver Martavis Bryant upended the defensive coordinator, but Phillips popped back up quickly and kept on coaching.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
