Falcons’ Pees released from hospital after pre-game injury

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — Atlanta Falcons defensive coordinator Dean Pees has been released from a hospital and cleared to fly home with the team following a pre-game collision that resulted in the 73-year-old being taken from the field to an ambulance on a stretcher. Pees was run into by New Orleans Saints returner Rashid Shaheed, who was trying to field a punted ball during warmups. It appeared that Pees’ head was struck by Shaheed’s helmet in the collision. Pees appeared to be caught off guard by the impact. Pees is in his second season as Atlanta’s defensive coordinator after serving in the same post at Tennessee, Baltimore and New England.