Chicago Bears tight end Marcedes Lewis (84) runs the ball against Chicago Bears linebacker Micah Baskerville (47) and Chicago Bears safety Douglas Coleman III (38)
In a heart-stopping moment during Thursday night’s preseason clash between the Chicago Bears and the Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs, safety Douglas Coleman III was carted off the field following a serious injury. Thankfully, the 26-year-old is now back in good spirits and on his way home.
The injury occurred early in the third quarter when Coleman attempted a tackle on Chiefs wide receiver Cornell Powell. As Powell was brought down, Coleman fell awkwardly and lay motionless on the field. The sight was unsettling, with both teams’ players taking a knee and the crowd at Arrowhead Stadium holding its breath.
Medical personnel quickly attended to Coleman, and he was placed on a stretcher and loaded onto a medical cart. In a touching display of sportsmanship, both Bears and Chiefs players came to the cart to offer their support. The Arrowhead Stadium crowd gave Coleman a standing ovation, a gesture that spoke volumes about the respect and care for a player facing such a daunting situation.
The latest update from Bears head coach Matt Eberflus brought relief to fans and teammates alike. Speaking to 670 The Fan in Chicago on Friday, Eberflus revealed that Coleman had been released from the hospital and was en route back to Chicago. “Douglas Coleman, that young man that was injured yesterday, was released from the hospital and he’s walking around,” Eberflus said. “I did talk to him. He’s in good spirits. He flew back to Chicago, I think he’s landing at about this time.”
The severity of the injury had been uncertain immediately following the incident, though Eberflus noted that Coleman had movement in his limbs and even managed a thumbs up, which was a positive sign. “When I was on the field, standing over there on the Chiefs sideline, he was moving his limbs. He gave us a thumbs up so that was really lifting to our football team,” Eberflus added.
Despite the scare, the Bears managed to finish their preseason on a high note, defeating the Chiefs 34-21. With the victory, Chicago wrapped up the preseason with a perfect 4-0 record, a promising start as they look ahead to the regular season.
Douglas Coleman III’s journey has been anything but typical. After going undrafted in the 2020 NFL Draft out of Texas Tech, Coleman spent the last two seasons in the Canadian Football League before signing a futures contract with the Bears this offseason. His resilience and determination are qualities that have clearly made an impression on the team and its supporters.
As Coleman recovers, the Bears and their fans will be breathing easier, celebrating both his return to health and the team’s successful preseason. The road ahead may be challenging, but Coleman’s positive spirit and the support from the Bears community highlight the strength and unity of the team.
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