Atlanta Falcons Defensive Coordinator Injured, Carted Off During Pre-Game Warmups.

The Atlanta Falcons suffered a scare with one of their leaders and mentors on the coaching staff in the lead-up to their Week 15 NFC South showdown with the New Orleans Saints. Defensive coordinator Dean Pees was injured during pre-game warm-ups when a player collided with him.

Hearing it was Falcons DC Dean Pees who was carted off before the game after a Saints player ran into him during warmups
— Nick Underhill (@nick_underhill) December 18, 2022

Pees, 73, had to have his neck braced and was loaded onto a stretcher after a player crashed into him while fielding a punt an hour or so before the 1 pm kickoff.

Peas has been a defensive coach at the professional level since 2004, following six years as head coach at Kent State. He served as defensive coordinator for the New England Patriots from 2006 to 2009, the Baltimore Ravens from 2012 to 2022, the Tennessee Titans from 2018 to 2019, and the Atlanta Falcons since 2020.

Week 15 has been full of unexpected turnover and turmoil so far for the Falcons. Starting quarterback Marcus Mariota has been declared out for the year following knee surgery, and rookie Desmond Ridder is starting in his place. The early results have been poor; the Saints lead the Falcons 14-3 at the half.