The defensive coordinator for the Atlanta Falcons was transported to the hospital Sunday as the team was warming up ahead of their game against the New Orleans Saints.
“Atlanta Falcons Defensive Coordinator Dean Pees was involved in an on-field pregame collision,” the team said in a statement. “He was stable, alert and responsive and has been transported to University Medical Center New Orleans for medical testing.”
“Frank Bush will serve as interim defensive play caller for today’s game,” the statement added.
Pees, 73, is the oldest defensive coordinator in the league and came out of retirement to coach for the team, according to ESPN.
It appears a member of Falcons staff was just carted off the field. Didn’t see what happened. The person was being attended to by medical staff for a few minutes.
Working to find out who it was. pic.twitter.com/hYmlxZHEWM— Justin Felder (@Justin_FOX5) December 18, 2022
The two touchdowns that the Saints scored in the first quarter of the game proved to be too much for the Falcons to come back from as New Orleans went on to win 21-18.
The team later released a statement saying that after Pees was back with the team after having received treatment and evaluation at the hospital.
“Atlanta Falcons Defensive Coordinator Dean Pees has been treated and released from University Medical Center New Orleans following an on-field pregame collision,” the team said in a new statement. “He will rejoin the Falcons for the flight back to Atlanta.”
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