The incident occurred on the final play of Indianapolis's preseason opener, requiring medical attention on the field for the coordinator.
Indianapolis Colts special teams coordinator Brian Mason appeared to suffer a significant knee injury during the team's preseason opener against the New England Patriots on Thursday night. The concerning incident took place on the very last play of the game, which ended in a 13-13 tie at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts.
Mason was positioned on the sidelines when a play extended toward the edge of the field. Despite his efforts to move out of the way, he unfortunately took contact from the players and went down to the ground, clearly in significant pain. Medical staff for the Colts immediately attended to him on the field before he was transported to the locker room for further evaluation.
Colts head coach Shane Steichen confirmed after the game that Mason was undergoing evaluation for his knee. No immediate additional details regarding the severity of the injury were available, according to reporting by Yahoo Sports - Top Stories.
Details from the Sideline Collision
The collision that injured Colts special teams coach Brian Mason happened as the action neared the sideline on the final play. Coach Mason, attempting to avoid the incoming players, was nonetheless unable to fully escape the contact. He was seen clutching his knee on the ground as the medical team rushed to his aid.
Head coach Shane Steichen provided a brief description of the play, stating, "He got rolled up, right on the sideline." This initial account suggests a twisting or rolling motion that often leads to knee-related injuries.
Coach Steichen's Post-Game Update
Following the preseason contest, Colts head coach Shane Steichen addressed the media regarding his special teams coordinator's condition. He confirmed the immediate next steps for Coach Mason's recovery process.
"He's getting evaluated for his knee right now," Steichen informed reporters. When pressed for more specifics, the coach added, "We'll see," indicating that the full extent of the injury was still unknown pending medical assessment. The team will likely provide a more comprehensive update after the initial evaluation is complete.
Rare Sideline Incidents in the NFL
While coaches are typically out of harm's way on the sidelines, incidents resulting in injuries, though rare, do occur in the fast-paced environment of the NFL. This unfortunate event involving Brian Mason is not unprecedented in league history.
For example, Commanders head coach Dan Quinn sustained a bloodied face after a sideline collision with quarterback Marcus Mariota last season. Perhaps most notably, former Saints head coach Sean Payton suffered a broken tibia and torn MCL in 2011 when New Orleans tight end Jimmy Graham inadvertently flew into his leg. That injury forced Payton to coach from the press box for several games, highlighting the potential severity of such sideline accidents.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened to Colts coach Brian Mason?
Colts special teams coordinator Brian Mason appeared to suffer a significant knee injury on the final play of the team's preseason opener against the New England Patriots, taking contact on the sideline and going down in obvious pain.
Who is Brian Mason?
Brian Mason is the special teams coordinator for the Indianapolis Colts, responsible for coaching the team's special teams units in the National Football League (NFL).
Have other NFL coaches been injured on the sideline?
Yes, sideline injuries to NFL coaches are rare but have occurred. Notable examples include Commanders head coach Dan Quinn sustaining a bloodied face and former Saints head coach Sean Payton suffering a broken tibia and torn MCL in separate incidents.
What did Colts head coach Shane Steichen say about the injury?
Colts head coach Shane Steichen stated that Brian Mason was "getting evaluated for his knee right now" and that "He got rolled up, right on the sideline." Steichen added, "We'll see," indicating the team was awaiting further details on the injury's severity.