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The 3-1 Atlanta Falcons have made headlines with their proficient passing game, but they have one of the strongest and youngest running back duos in the NFL. Devonta Freeman and Tevin Coleman are 24 and 23 years old, respectively, and they balance Atlanta's aerial attack with a powerful, modern ground game.
Freeman takes the bulk of the carries, but so far this season Coleman has been the primary option in the red zone, scoring four touchdowns to Freeman's one.
The Falcons' run game will be vital against their next opponent, the Denver Broncos. Denver's pass rush is extraordinary, seemingly improving on its dominance from last season. If Atlanta wants to slow the pressure off the edge, they'll need to be effective in running the rock between the hashes.
However, it appears they might have to do so without Coleman.
From Vaughn McClure of ESPN:
“With my sickle cell, I have no idea if I’ll play there,” Coleman told ESPN.com. “I really don’t know how I’ll feel or how it will be like. I’ve never been to Denver.”
Coleman's sickle cell trait can cause complications when physical stress, such as extremely hot weather or a low level of oxygen, is placed upon the individual. The latter applies in this case, due to Denver's high altitude.
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Coleman is especially hesitant because of an incident involving Ryan Clark back in 2007. Clark lost both his spleen and gall bladder after falling ill playing in Denver as a result of his sickle cell disorder.
Quite understandably, Coleman doesn't want to take that same risk:
“It does make me scared a little bit, a little nervous, because I’m risking my life,” Coleman said, referring to Clark’s experience. “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.”
If Coleman does play, the Falcons will likely limit his usage, and monitor his health throughout:
“I know myself, and I know how it will affect me, but I’ll do a little more research of how it is in Denver because, like I said, I’ve never been there,” Coleman said. “I’ve never been nowhere with high altitudes.”
