Tevin Coleman is unsure if he will be able to play this weekend when his team takes on the Broncos in Denver, as the Atlanta Falcons running back carries the sickle cell trait and could put himself at risk by playing in the high altitude.
Individuals who carry the sickle cell trait can experience health complications in severe heat or environments with low oxygen.
“With my sickle cell, I have no idea if I’ll play there,” Coleman told Vaughn McClure of ESPN.com. “I really don’t know how I’ll feel or how it will be like. I’ve never been to Denver.”
Coleman is aware of a 2007 incident involving former Pittsburgh Steelers safety Ryan Clark, in which Clark was rushed to the hospital after a game in Denver and had to undergo emrgency surgery to remove his spleen and gallbladder. Clark also carries the sickle cell trait.
“It does make me scared a little bit, a little nervous, because I’m risking my life,” Coleman said. “We’ll have to see. I’ll have to talk to coach [Dan Quinn]. 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.”
Coleman said there could be a situation where the Falcons simply limit his reps, and he added that he would be “really disappointed” if he can’t play. The second-year back has been a huge part of Atlanta’s offense, as he has more than 300 total yards from scrimmage and has scored four touchdowns.
Obviously, Coleman’s health should come before anything. If you remember, Clark was forced to miss a very important game a few years back because it was in Denver. Expect the Falcons to play it safe.
