Atlanta Falcons defensive coordinator Dean Pees was taken off the field on a stretcher after a collision with a New Orleans Saints player practicing returns before Sunday’s NFC South game.
Both team’s medical staff surrounded Pees for some time on the 35-yard line before a cart and stretcher came out not he field. They were being very cautious to stabilize Pees’ neck before carting him off the field.
Pees was “alert and responsive and then transported to the University Medical Center New Orleans for medical testing,” according to the team. Linebackers coach Frank Bush will be the defensive playcaller against the Saints on Sunday.
The team released a statement saying Pees is stable and has been transported to the hospital:
The 73-year-old Pees is the oldest defensive coordinator in the NFL. He’s been with Atlanta for two seasons after coming out of retirement once the Falcons hired Smith.
