 John Fox (AP Photo) |
Denver 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 San Diego 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."
Del Rio informed the team of Fox's release from the hospital Friday morning.
"Once you get out of the hospital, that pretty much means that they're saying you're good and the process went well," cornerback Chris Harris said.
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 Jacksonville 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.
That doesn't mean he won't go over to his defensive players between series if he has something to say.
"Well, I don't have a restrainer on me," Del Rio said. "I can walk over to the bench, either bench, at any time."
Contributing: The Associated Press