Wade Phillips Carted Off the Field After Sideline Collision
Published by Rob Goldberg on October 30, 2016
Article Source: Bleacher Report - Chicago Bears
A scary moment occurred during Week 8’s game between the Denver Broncos and San Diego Chargers, as Broncos defensive coordinator Wade Phillips suffered an injury on the sideline and exited on a stretcher.
Mike Klis of 9News described the situation leading to the injury:
While Phillips needed a cart to come off the field after the hit from Melvin Gordon, Klis reported the coach was conscious and wagging the No. 1 sign with his finger.
Broncos vice president of public relations Patrick Smyth later announced Phillips’ precautionary test results came back “normal,” adding the coach did not have a broken leg. Phillips was later released from the hospital, per Smyth, and was expected to be back with the team Monday.
On Oct. 31, Phillips confirmed he was back at work after the hit:
On Wednesday, Phillips confirmed he broke a rib:
On Thursday, Phillips told reporters he might coach Sunday’s clash with the Oakland Raiders from the coaches box.
“[Phillips] is doing great,” Broncos head coach Gary Kubiak said after the Broncos’ 27-19 win, per the team’s official Twitter account. “He’s upbeat, watched the game.”
“He’s sore, but he’s feeling good,” Kubiak added Monday, per Nicki Jhabvala of the Denver Post. “He’s himself today.”
Jhabvala added inside linebackers coach Reggie Herring was calling plays with Phillips out.
Gordon described his perspective of the play after the game, per Michael Gehlken of the San Diego Union-Tribune:
I was running a bullet and I think (Broncos OLB) Von (Miller) had pushed me out, and I didn’t know I hurt him. I didn’t even know it was me. I hope he’s OK. You’re in a game, and usually if it’s a player (on the sideline), they usually catch you, regardless of what side it’s on. They try to catch you. I just kind of ran into him, and I couldn’t stop. I was going too fast. I’m really sorry about that, especially when I found out that I was the one who kind of hurt him. There wasn’t any mean intention on that.
Phillips is in his second season in his current stint in Denver (after six years in the 1980s and ’90s) and has held various roles in the NFL since 1976.
The 69-year-old has served as a head coach both on a permanent and interim basis with the Broncos, New Orleans Saints, Buffalo Bills, Atlanta Falcons, Dallas Cowboys and Houston Texans, accumulating an 82-64 career record.
As a defensive coordinator, he led the Texans to a No. 2 ranking in yards allowed in 2011. Last season, his Broncos defense was the best in the NFL in yards allowed and was instrumental in helping the team win the Super Bowl.
According to Klis, Phillips also overcame a big hit from a player in the playoffs last season.
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