Tevin Coleman slips in shower, enters concussion protocol

Atlanta Falcons rookie running back Tevin Coleman reportedly slipped in the shower Christmas Eve and will enter the NFL’s concussion protocol for Week 16.

According to Atlanta Falcons head coach Dan Quinn, Atlanta Falcons rookie running back Tevin Coleman slipped in the shower Christmas Eve morning and has sustained a concussion. Quinn told the media at the Falcons’ Thursday press conference at their Flowery Branch, GA headquarters.

Coleman was the Falcons’ third round selection out of Indiana University, where Coleman was one of three All-American tailbacks in the country his junior year in Bloomington in 2014. In his rookie season, Coleman has rushed for 392 yards and one touchdown on 87 carries as the Falcons’ second-string running back.

Initially Coleman won the starting running back job over Pro Bowler Devonta Freeman at the beginning of the 2015 NFL season. He rushed for 80 yards in the Falcons’ Week 1 Monday Night thriller over the Philadelphia Eagles, but broke some ribs in Week 2’s win over the New York Giants. Freeman assumed the starting job after Coleman’s injury and went on to lead the NFL in rushing touchdowns with 10 and should achieve over 1,000 yards on the ground in 2015.

This unfortunate is Coleman’s third significant injury of his rookie campaign. He dealt with a hamstring injury in the preseason and broken ribs that sidelined him in Weeks 3 and 4. Though he did rush for over 100 yards in Week 12’s home loss to the Minnesota Vikings, that was because Freeman could not play as he was in the NFL’s concussion protocol that week.

Though Atlanta is still somehow alive in the NFC Wild Card race depending on what the Minnesota Vikings do in Week 16 versus the New York Giants, Coleman may not be available for the Falcons in their Week 16 rivalry game at home versus the 14-0 Carolina Panthers. Atlanta has scored only three points in their last two meetings with their NFC South foe.