Saints coach Payton tears MCL on sideline
New Orleans Saints trainers tend to head coach Sean Payton, center, after he was run over on a play during the first quarter. (Oct. 16, 2011) Credit: AP
TAMPA, Fla. -- New Orleans coach Sean Payton will have surgery Monday after tearing the MCL and fracturing the tibia in his left leg following a collision on the sideline during the Saints' 26-20 loss to the Buccaneers Sunday.
He spent the second half in the training room watching the game on TV and gave the play-calling duties over to offensive coordinator Pete Carmichael. Payton will have surgery on the leg Monday and will begin rehabilitation.
Payton fell to the ground and got his leg caught underneath Saints tight end Jimmy Graham when he was tackled by a Bucs defender early in the first quarter. Payton stayed down while receiving medical attention before being helped to the bench. He remained there with his leg propped on the bench, but kept on his headset.
Players on the Saints (4-2) alternated clearing out their two sideline benches between possessions to allow Payton to see from his seat until he was driven off the field on a golf cart with 3:40 left in the first half.
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