Chargers coach Jim Harbaugh returns to Broncos game after leaving with illness

Chargers coach Jim Harbaugh left Sunday’s game against the Broncos with an illness in the first quarter. He later returned to the sideline.

Story update: After the game, Jim Harbaugh told reporters in Denver that he had an “atrial flutter” episode. See our original post below.

Just before kickoff of Sunday’s game against the Denver Broncos, Los Angeles Chargers coach Jim Harbaugh was evaluated by team personnel in the blue medical tent on L.A.’s sideline.

Harbaugh then left the tent and headed toward the locker room before returning to the tent. Harbaugh was then taken into the locker room.

The Chargers later announced that Harbaugh was questionable to return to the game with an illness. Los Angeles defensive coordinator Jesse Minter served as the Chargers’ interim head coach while Harbaugh was sideline.

Minter’s first big decision was opting to kick a 20-yard field goal instead of going for it on 4th-and-2 at Denver’s two-yard line. Following a Broncos punt, Harbaugh returned to the game with L.A. leading 3-0 midway through the first quarter.

Elsewhere on the injury front, Denver cornerback Pat Surtain is being evaluated for a possible concussion. Chargers receiver Ladd McConkey is also being evaluated for a head injury and receiver Quentin Johnston is questionable to return with an ankle injury.

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