Wade Phillips is back in business.
NFL Network's James Palmer reported that the Broncos defensive coordinator returned to practice Wednesday after suffering a broken rib following a collision with a player during Sunday's win over the San Diego Chargers.
Phillips, who was carted off the field after the collision, told reporters Thursday there's a chance he might coach from the box during Sunday's game against the Raiders.
Phillips was taken to a local hospital Sunday to undergo further testing after he was inadvertently knocked to the ground by Chargers running back Melvin Gordon. The longtime play-caller was released the same day after everything "checked out OK," per the team.
With 35-plus years of coaching experience, Phillips operates as one of the NFL's most respected defensive architects, a reputation only strengthened by his brilliant work with the Broncos over the past two seasons.
With Phillips back, it will be fascinating to see how far Denver's rough-and-tumble defense can take this confident and resilient Broncos squad in 2016.