Wade Phillips, the Broncos’ defensive coordinator, was knocked hard to the ground in the second quarter Sunday at Sports Authority Field and removed from the field on a stretcher.
Phillips, 69, was standing on the sideline during an interception return when Chargers’ running back Melvin Gordon was blocked by a Broncos defender. Gordon lost control and smashed into Phillips, who was knocked to the ground. His head appeared to bounce off the ground.
After Denver cornerback Bradley Roby returned the interception for a touchdown, medical personnel attended to Phillips during a celebration. They strapped him to a hard board and situated his head in a neck brace.