Tevin Coleman might miss Denver game because of sickle cell trait

The Falcons are rolling after Sunday’s 48-33 upset of the Panthers, but they might hit a small speed bump in Denver.

Running back Tevin Coleman, who leads the team with four touchdowns, might have to sit out Sunday’s game at Sports Authority Field at Mile High because of his sickle cell trait.

Sickle cell is a blood disorder that can trigger severe symptoms at high altitude.

“I really don’t know how I’ll feel or how it will be like. I’ve never been to Denver,” Coleman told ESPN.com.

Former Steelers safety Ryan Clark, who also has sickle cell trait, played a 2007 game at Denver and became so sick that he had to have his spleen and gall bladder removed. Clark sat out when the Steelers played at Denver in a 2009 game and a 2011 playoff game.

The Falcons (3-1) faced a stiff test to begin with going on the road against the unbeaten Super Bowl champs. Now they’ll need Devonta Freeman to be their workhorse running back. Freeman is sixth in the league with 322 rushing yards, but he hasn’t carried the ball more than 17 times in a game. Coleman has been the complementary back with 129 yards and all four of his touchdowns have come in the red zone.

Even if Coleman doesn’t play, the Falcons have a realistic chance to beat two Super Bowl 50 participants in two weeks as long as Matt Ryan and Julio Jones are healthy.

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