Tevin Coleman Will Play vs. Broncos Despite Sickle Cell Trait

The status of Atlanta Falcons running back Tevin Coleman was previously questionable for Week 5's matchup against the Denver Broncos because he is a carrier of the sickle cell trait.

However, on Thursday, Coleman indicated he will play, per D. Orlando Ledbetter of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Coleman also said he will remain hydrated and communicate with team doctors, per Ledbetter.

As Vaughn McClure of ESPN.com noted on Oct. 4, people with sickle cell face potential health issues in areas of high heat or low oxygen. The elevation in Denver—about a mile above sea level—is the highest in the NFL by a significant margin.

"With my sickle cell, I have no idea if I'll play there," Coleman told McClure at the time. "I really don't know how I'll feel or how it will be like. I've never been to Denver."

Former NFL safety Ryan Clark sat out the final two games he could have played in Denver due to the complications of sickle cell. Clark needed to have his spleen and gallbladder removed after being taken to the hospital following a 2007 game against the Broncos. He nearly died as a result of the complications and spent an extended period in the hospital.

Coleman cited Clark's experience in discussing his apprehension about the Denver game:

"

It does make me scared a little bit, a little nervous, because I'm risking my life. 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.

"

Cincinnati Bengals defensive tackle Geno Atkins, who also has the sickle cell trait, played in a December game last season without complications. He previously played in a 2011 game in Denver without experiencing any issues.

Coleman said he wasn't sure how his body would react because he's never been in a city with a high altitude. He grew up in Illinois and played college football at Indiana, so he has no comparable experience to know whether he could handle a full workload at altitude.

"It would bother me quite a bit," Coleman said of potentially not being able to play. "I'd be real upset because my team is going to be out there, and I want to compete and battle for my team. Watching them play, you just want to be out there and ball with them. I'd be really disappointed if I can't play, but I'd understand because things could happen."

In his second season, Coleman has rushed for 129 yards and four touchdowns through the first four weeks. He's added 13 receptions and 181 yards as a pass-catcher. The Falcons have carried Coleman and Devonta Freeman as their only two active running backs, but they may activate Terron Ward from the practice squad as a precaution.

Coleman has received double-digit touches every week, and the Falcons have relied on him to keep Freeman fresh.

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