Wade Phillips, the defensive coordinator for the Houston Texans, will take a two week medical leave of absence from the team to undergo an undisclosed medical procedure. Phillips will discuss the procedure following Wednesday's practice.
Wade Phillips Takes Medical Leave; Texans Expect Coordinator Back For Playoffs
The Houston Texans will be without defensive coordinator Wade Phillips as he takes a medical leave of absence from the team.
At 10-3, the Texans are tied for the best record in the AFC. They also clinched the AFC South, and will make their first playoff appearance in team history this season. Based on the information available, Phillips should be back on the sidelines for the postseason.
Phillips was hired to run the Texans defense after being fired by the Dallas Cowboys after the team's 1-7 start last year. The Texans defense is one of the best units in the league this season. Houston leads the league with the fewest yards allowed, and only three teams allow less points per game.
Phillips converted the Texans defense from a 4-3 to a 3-4 base scheme this season. Many thought the transition would be a setback for the team this season as they jettisoned players and sought new ones to fill the roles required by the new system. Houston's defense suffered a big blow when they lost linebacker Mario Williams after just five games.
Linebackers coach Reggie Herring will take over while Phillips is gone, according to the John McClain of the Houston Chronicle.
News of Phillips’ absence was first reported Wednesday morning by Mark Berman of Fox 26 in Houston.
For more on Phillips and the Texans, check out Battle Red Blog.
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