Pritchard, Broncos’ Leading Receiver, Has Lacerated Kidney

Mike Pritchard’s lacerated kidney is not as serious as first believed, and the Denver Bronco wide receiver might be back with the team later this season, Coach Wade Phillips said Saturday.

Phillips said Pritchard, in serious condition in the intensive care unit at Presbyterian-St. Luke’s Hospital, would not require surgery and that physicians told him the kidney would heal itself.

Pritchard was rushed to the hospital Friday night after he noticed blood in his urine, hospital authorities said.

Pritchard, 24, was acquired in a draft-day trade with Atlanta after three seasons with the Falcons.

He was the Broncos’ leading receiver this year with 19 receptions for 271 yards and a touchdown.

Phillips said it was still not clear how long Pritchard will remain hospitalized or how long it will be before he can practice with the team.

“It looks like he’s going to be able to play at some time, and I don’t know when, but he’s going to be able to play this year,” Phillips said.

The lacerated kidney was pinpointed Friday night by a CAT scan and X-rays, hospital officials said.

Phillips said Pritchard was knocked down while running a pass route, but “I couldn’t tell whether he fell on the football or just on the ground.”