What Happened to Matt Lauer? Today Host Hit Deer in Bike Accident

by Tina Kells | March 24, 2009 at 08:27 am

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Today host Matt Lauer was injured in a bike accident Monday. No, he wasn't competing against Lance Armstrong, who was hospitalized after a bicycle accident March 23, Lauer hurt his shoulder when he tried to avoid hitting a deer.

Caution: Matt Lauer really brakes for animals. The "Today" show host, an avid cyclist, was off work Monday with an injured shoulder after slamming on the brakes to avoid a deer on a weekend ride, according to his co-host, Meredith Vieira.

Lauer was expected to have surgery and return to work this week, according to The Associated Press. Lauer, 51, joked with Vieira via e-mail that he thought "the deer was hired by the competition."

Think again, Matt, Vieira quipped on the show yesterday. "I hired the deer, but I said, 'Just graze him.' "