Matt Lauer Hurt After Close Encounter With Deer; ‘Today’ Show Co-host Flips Off Bike

First Published: March 23, 2009 9:23 AM EDT Credit: Getty Images

NEW YORK, N.Y. -- Caption Matt LauerA flip off his bicycle took “Today” show co-host Matt Lauer off the air Monday.

Lauer was riding his bicycle this weekend when a deer jumped into his path. He flipped over the bike’s handlebars and was slightly hurt, NBC said.

His broadcast partner, Meredith Vieira, joked on the air that Lauer thinks the deer was hired by the competition.

“Matt’s banged up with a displaced shoulder, it popped out,” she said. “So hopefully he’ll be on the mend soon.”

Lester Holt filled in as Vieira’s co-host Monday.

Access Hollywood