Los Angeles Chargers coach Jim Harbaugh had a brief but alarming absence during their Sunday game against the Denver Broncos, leaving fans and spectators alike in a state of panic.
As seen by the crowd at Denver's stadium and millions watching from home, Coach Harbaugh was checked out in the medical tent moments before kickoff and then shortly went to the locker room, prompting many to speculate about the nature of his sudden departure.
Luckily, the situation wasn't as dire as initially feared, as the 60-year-old coach returned to the sidelines midway through the game, allowing the team to breathe a collective sigh of relief.
Defensive coordinator Jesse Minter stepped in during Coach Harbaugh's brief absence, taking on the responsibilities of leading the Chargers until their leader's return.
While details about Coach Harbaugh's condition are still scarce, sources close to the team report that the renowned coach was dealing with an illness, which hopefully doesn't impact his future games or overall well-being.
It remains to be seen how this minor setback will affect the rest of the Chargers' season. Nonetheless, their spirits were high, given Coach Harbaugh's swift return and a relatively minor scare averted.
On another note, the Denver Broncos faced their own setback when their talented cornerback Pat Surtain II exited the game with a concussion. It's unclear at this time when Surtain will make his return to the field.