Houston Texans defensive coordinator Wade Phillips will take an immediate leave of absence for medical reasons.

Phillips spoke to reporters after Wednesday’s practice saying would undergo a procedure on his kidney. He was told by his doctors he could return to the sideline in a week to 10 days.

“I felt sick about a week ago,” Phillips said. “I want to get this taken care of so I can get back. I’ve been getting way too much credit. This is a team thing, and they’ll do well without me, and I should be back ready to go for the Tennessee game.”

Linebackers coach Reggie Herring will step into Phillips shoes.

Herring coached Houston’s linebackers in 2002-03 under Dom Capers. He spent the past three years (2008-2010) as the linebackers coach at Dallas when Phillips was the head coach, and ended up following Phillips when he came to Houston in the off-season.

Houston will host Carolina and then head out to Indianapolis for a Thursday night prime-time game. The Texans will close out the regular season against division rival Tennessee. Phillips is expected to be back by then.

Phillips is in his first year as the Texans coordinator, and has been a key component in the Texans’ 10-3 season so far.  The defense is allowing 274.9 yards per game this season, 102 yards better than last year. That improvement is the best since the 1970 AFL-NFL merger.

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