Los Angeles Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh was absent at the start of their game against the Denver Broncos on Sunday afternoon due to an illness. Just minutes before kickoff at Empower Field at Mile High in Colorado, Harbaugh was seen entering the team’s medical tent for evaluation. He subsequently returned to the locker room shortly thereafter, causing him to miss the beginning of the game.
Shortly into the contest, the Chargers announced that Harbaugh was dealing with an illness and was questionable to return. In his absence, defensive coordinator Jesse Minter stepped in as interim head coach.
Meanwhile, Harbaugh’s brother, John Harbaugh, head coach of the Baltimore Ravens, abruptly ended a news conference after learning about Jim’s situation while discussing the Ravens’ 30-23 victory over the Washington Commanders. He left to reach out to his brother, though it was unclear if they were able to connect.
Just past the halfway mark of the first quarter, Jim Harbaugh made a return to the sidelines, resuming his coaching duties. The specifics of his illness remain undisclosed, but he returned just in time to witness quarterback Justin Herbert throw a 38-yard touchdown pass to Kimani Vidal, increasing the Chargers’ lead to 10-0.
This season marks Harbaugh’s first with the Chargers after a successful nine-year stint at Michigan, which concluded with a national championship in January. He previously coached the San Francisco 49ers from 2011 to 2014. The Chargers entered the game with a 2-2 record.