Broncos' short week complicates coach Gary Kubiak's status

Bob Hille

Broncos' short week complicates coach Gary Kubiak's status image

Broncos coach Gary Kubiak, taken by ambulance from Mile High after Sunday's loss to the Falcons, remained hospitalized early Monday at a Denver area hospital. He was expected to be released Monday afternoon.

Kubiak, 55, had spoken to his team and then the media when, less than 30 minutes after his news conference, "the situation outside the Broncos’ locker room got chaotic," 9News.com reported. "Security blocked off hallways so that an ambulance could maneuver to near the coaches’ room. The ambulance started to leave out the stadium’s south side players’ entrance with Kubiak’s wife, Rhonda, sitting in the front seat."

STEELE: Can Denver win because (not in spite) of QBs?

"After experiencing flu-like symptoms following Sunday’s game, Denver Broncos Head Coach Gary Kubiak underwent several precautionary tests at a local hospital," the team said in a statement. "These included an MRI and CT scan, both of which came back normal.

"Kubiak was diagnosed with a complex migraine condition that caused extreme fatigue and body weakness. He received medication and is feeling much better."

While coach of the Texans in 2013, Kubiak suffered a transient ischemic attack, frequently called a "mini-stroke," and collapsed on the field at halftime of a game against the Colts.

MORE: Broncos-Falcons highlights

Though there has been no indication whether Kubiak might miss time, the Broncos (4-1) face a short week. They're scheduled to play the Chargers (1-4) in San Diego on Thursday.

According to 9News.com, if the Broncos' medical team or Kubiak's personal physician insists he not coach that game, the Broncos likely would choose either offensive coordinator Rick Dennison or defensive coordinator Wade Phillips as interim head coach.

Bob Hille

Bob Hille Photo

Bob Hille, a senior content consultant for The Sporting News, has been part of the TSN team for most of the past 30 years, including as managing editor and executive editor. He is a native of Texas (forever), adopted son of Colorado, where he graduated from Colorado State, and longtime fan of “Bull Durham” (h/t Annie Savoy for The Sporting News mention).