Former Cowboys head coach Wade Phillips, now the defensive coordinator for the Houston Texans, will take a medical leave of absence and miss two games, the team has announced, according to multiple reports.
The cause of Phillips' concerns are unknown, but he is scheduled to undergo a procedure, according to the Houston Chronicle. Phillips will address the Houston media on Wednesday.
Phillips has turned the Texans defense around in one year despite the midseason loss of his top player, pass rusher Mario Williams. Houston has risen from 30th in the NFL in yards allowed last season to first place through 14 weeks.
The Texans clinched their first ever playoff berth on Sunday. Reggie Herring, who coached linebackers under Phillips in Dallas, will take over defensive play-calling responsibilities in his absence.
Phillips' son Wes is the assistant offensive line coach for the Cowboys.
*(UPDATE)
*Phillips' surgery is to treat a kidney condition, and he said doctors have told him he'll be back to work in 10 days.
Cowboys coach Jason Garrett said he's hoping for the best for his former boss.
"Wes will do whatever he feels like he needs to do and we'll fully support him on that," Garrett said. "He's certainly kept us updated on that situation. Coach Phillips is one of the great coaches in this league, and certainly one of the great guys I've ever been around. We're all certainly behind him and our thoughts and prayers are with him. One thing I know about him, he's a tough guy and he's a fighter, and hopefully that situation will get resolved sooner rather than later."
