NBC Today Show host Matt Lauer was a no-show this morning after getting into a bicycle accident over the weekend.  The unfortunate collision involved Matt and a deer.

It is not clear if Matt actually hit the deer or if he swerved to miss colliding with it but in any case, he flipped over his handlebars and suffered a separated shoulder.  He is scheduled to undergo surgery, according to ET.

Co-host Meredith Viera had a little fun at Matt’s expense this morning, telling viewers that she “thinks the deer was hired by the competition” and then went on to say that actually she hired the ‘hit’ but reports that she gave the deer strict orders to just graze him.

We first reported that Lauer was on a motorcycle – which really did seem out of character for the TV host.  Upon further investigation we discovered that he was on a bicycle.

What do you think?  Is is appropriate for Meredith to joke at Matt’s expense?  Lauer is expected to return to the show by the end of the week.

Lance Armstrong also suffered an cycling accident on Monday.  See crash video here.

Photo:  WENN

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Filed under: Celebrities, Television, matt lauer