Broncos coach John Fox was been released from the hospital Friday, four days after heart surgery in Charlotte, N.C.
Fox was resting at his offseason home in Charlotte, interim coach Jack Del Rio said after the Broncos' Friday practice. Fox had his aortic value replaced on Monday.
In a statement released by the team, Fox thanked his doctors, family, friends and fans. He said his recovery is progressing well: "I'm feeling better and stronger each day."
He'll stay in Charlotte to begin his cardiovascular rehabilitation.
The Broncos (7-1) play the Chargers (4-4) on Sunday. Fox will be cheering them on from home.
"My recovery is progressing well—I am feeling better and getting stronger each day," Fox said in the statement. "I will begin the next phase of my recovery in Charlotte and continue outpatient appointments with doctors, who will clear me to return to Denver when the time is right."
Players say Fox's tribulations have galvanized them.
"We're just excited to hear that he's doing well. He'll be back soon and we just have to go out there and play through him, play for him," defensive captain Wesley Woodyard said. "He wants to be here with us. This is his hometown we're going back to, so it'll be a big victory if we pull this one off."
Tight end Jacob Tamme said the first step of getting discharged from the hospital is always a big leap.
"We know he's still got a lot of recovery left to do but that's definitely a great thing," Tamme said. "I know when you get to go home, that's always a positive."
Fox will still have input on his team while he's recovering over the next several weeks.
Del Rio said he figures to talk with Fox on the phone "I would think on a daily basis from here on out."
Del Rio, who was coach of the Jaguars from 2003-11 before rejoining Fox in Denver last year, is keeping his defensive coordinator duties during Fox's absence.
So, he'll rely heavily on his staff, especially linebackers coach Richard Smith, a former defensive coordinator for the Dolphins and Texans, on game day, when he'll have to keep his eyes on the field the whole time.
MARTIN GOES ON IR
Doug Martin went on injured reserve Friday, eliminating the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' top running back for the rest of the season.
The decision was not unexpected, the Tampa Bay Times noted. Martin tore a labrum in his left shoulder against the Atlanta Falcons on Oct. 20. He didn't play last week and remained out of practice as the Bucs prepared to play the Miami Dolphins on Monday.
Martin finished the season with one touchdown and 456 yards rushing. His yardage was fourth best among NFL backs. His absence was another blow to the team in a disappointing season. They are 0-8, matching the futility of in-state rival the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Expect Mike James to continue getting featured carries in the offense. He had 158 yards last week in Martin's stead; no rookie has had more this season.
Friday was decision day on Martin, which the team and coach Greg Schiano waited to see if he responded to treatment.
"You know I think it's really just going to be a medical decision,'' Schiano told the Times. "At what point do you say Monday is out of the question? We'll see. And if it is, I think it's going to be all or nothing. It's got to be a decision we've got to make. Everyone collectively has got to make a decision, and we've got to go with it. When we make it, I'll let you guys know and we'll move forward with it.''
Martin was selected to the Pro Bowl last season after rushing for 1,454 yards, a team rookie record, and 11 touchdowns.
Linebacker Ka'lial Glaud joins the 53-man roster in Martin's place. An undrafted rookie, Glaud played for Schiano at Rutgers.
T.O. SPOTLIGHT
Terrell Owens will be on the field Sunday with the 49ers. Relax: He won't be playing.
Owens will be the team's honorary captain for its game against the Panthers, the San Jose Mercury News reported.
The franchise is marking its final season at Candlestick Park with events at home games, and Owens earns a salute for his long career and especially his performance in January 1999's playoffs.
On Jan. 3 that year, Owens caught a 25-yard touchdown pass from Steve Young for a 30-27 victory over the Packers. In 49ers lore it is referred to as "The Catch II."
En route to becoming the NFL's second-leading receiver of all time—former Niners star Jerry Rice tops the list—Owens played for 'Frisco from 1996 to 2003.
Owens turns 40 on Dec. 7. He was known for his antics on and off the field as well as his ability as a receiver.
SETBACK
Running back Arian Foster will miss Sunday's Texans game against the Cardinals because of a back injury.
Foster didn't practice all week after injuring his back on the team's first series against the Colts last week. He also missed most of the previous game with a hamstring problem.
The team didn't disclosed what's wrong with Foster's back. Interim coach Wade Phillips said Friday that Foster had visited specialists about the problem and will likely seek more opinions.
Ben Tate, who is still recovering from four broken ribs, is expected to start in his place.
Dennis Johnson and Deji Karim, who were both signed last week, will play behind Tate.
RAIDERS' WOES
Raiders running back Rashad Jennings was speaking to a group of high school students earlier this week when the conversation turned to the importance of being prepared when opportunities in life arise.
Jennings is qualified to speak on the topic, having received a crash course on it over the past 15 months.
He will make his second start of the season Sunday against the Giants while Darren McFadden rests his sore hamstring. He also started six games for the Jaguars in 2012 while Maurice Jones-Drew nursed a foot injury.
The message Jennings delivered? Don't wait or it's too late.
When McFadden was injured last week against the Eagles, Jennings responded with his first 100-yard game in nearly three years.
PURPLE PROBLEM
The Vikings are unsure if Christian Ponder will be healed in time for their next game.
Ponder, a right-handed passer, dislocated his non-throwing shoulder trying to dive for a touchdown at the end of a run late in the third quarter during Thursday's victory over the Redskins.
An MRI exam on Ponder's arm showed no further damage, coach Leslie Frazier said Friday. To play Nov. 17 at Seattle, Ponder must regaing strength in his elbow. Matt Cassel replaced Ponder against the Redskins, but Frazier said he hasn't decided yet whether Cassel or Josh Freeman would start in case Ponder can't play against the Seahawks.
Ponder said after the game Thursday he believes he'll be ready in time.
Contributors: The Sporting News staff, The Associated Press