Editor’s update: Coleman has said he will play on Sunday. His hydration will be monitored, and he will communicate with team doctors, per D. Orlando Ledbetter of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
Falcons RB Tevin Coleman is concerned about playing in Denver because he carries the sickle cell trait
Tevin Coleman will play in Denver in Week 5, but he’s concerned after what happened to Ryan Clark.
Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
The Atlanta Falcons are traveling to face the Denver Broncos in Week 5, and running back Tevin Coleman faces a potentially tricky situation. Coleman carries the sickle cell trait, which is a blood disorder that can cause complications when a person is under physical stress in extreme environments. High altitude is one such extreme environment, and the Broncos play their games a mile above sea level.
Coleman told ESPN’s Vaughn McClure that he was not sure yet if he would play in that game. Coleman said, “I really don’t know how I’ll feel or how it will be like. I’ve never been to Denver.”
Falcons head coach Dan Quinn said Monday afternoon that Coleman would play.
Coleman told ESPN he will work with Falcons head coach Dan Quinn to figure out a plan for Sunday. Coleman said, “I guess coach will see how I feel when we get there. And I just have to communicate with him, if I am out there [playing], if I’m dead [tired] or can’t breathe. We just have to play it smart.’’
This is particularly notable because of the experience of former NFL player Ryan Clark. In 2007, Clark and the Steelers played in Denver, and he became seriously ill. The complications caused by high altitude prevented oxygen from getting to his organs. This caused tissue death in his spleen. What was initially diagnosed as a bruised spleen ended with him his spleen being removed entirely. A month later, he began throwing up and subsequently had to get his gall blader removed as well. He was held out of two subsequent games in Denver, including a playoff game.
Coleman’s situation differs from Clark’s, Quinn said Monday.
On Tevin Coleman and the sickle cell trait, different from sickle cell anemia and Quinn says the team expects he will play and play well.
— Jeanna (@jeannathomas) October 3, 2016
The Falcons running game has been a significant strength through two weeks. Devonta Freeman leads the team with 55 carries, while Coleman is right behind him with 40 carries. The team could either sit Coleman entirely, or simply boost Freeman’s carries. Head coach Dan Quinn and offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan will get plenty of questions about this issue, but I would not expect them to reveal their exact plan prior to the game.
