Jim Harbaugh had a brief scare during the Chargers’ game against the Broncos, leaving the field in the first quarter due to a heart rhythm issue known as atrial flutter. “I got into an episode today with it,” Harbaugh explained. Medical staff quickly attended to him, restoring his normal sinus rhythm before he returned to the game.
Harbaugh first entered the blue medical tent and then went to the locker room for further evaluation. “They did a great job,” he said. “I had a little treatment, a little IV, and [Chargers Director of Player Health, Wellness & Performance] Marco [Zucconi] gave me some kind of magnesium thing. They were on it, which was great.”
After receiving treatment, Harbaugh rejoined the sidelines later in the quarter. He noted this wasn’t his first encounter with arrhythmias, recalling previous experiences with the condition during his coaching career. “I had a couple of ablations, one in 1999 and one in 2012,” he mentioned, highlighting a particularly memorable incident in which he had to undergo an ablation after a game featuring Colin Kaepernick and the 49ers.
During Harbaugh’s absence, defensive coordinator Jesse Minter stepped in as interim head coach. Minter opted for a field goal instead of attempting to score a touchdown when the Chargers found themselves at the Broncos’ two-yard line.
The Chargers improved their record to 3-2 and are set to face the Cardinals next week on Monday night.