National Football League

Arizona QB coach Kitchens undergoes heart surgery

Published Jun. 6, 2013 12:27 a.m. ET

foxsports

Arizona Cardinals quarterbacks coach Freddie Kitchens underwent heart surgery and the team says his early prognosis is ''positive.''

A team statement says Kitchens did not feel well and left Tuesday's OTA practice. The team's medical staff sent Kitchens to a hospital, where a CT scan revealed a defect in his aorta.

Kitchens underwent surgery Tuesday night at the Arizona Heart Institute. The team says doctors who performed the surgery say it ''went very well.''

The team gathered for a prayer for Kitchens' recovery prior to the start of Wednesday's OTA session.

Coach Bruce Arians told azcentralsports, which includes The Arizona Republic, that Tuesday night was ''pretty scary.''

Arians said Kitchens tried to ''gut out'' Tuesday's practice but the quarterbacks called to the team trainer, who insisted Kitchens go into the locker room.

Arians said Kitchens was ''not out of the woods'' yet, but had cracked a joke in the hospital after the surgery.