Falcons running back Tevin Coleman has a fumbling problem.
The rookie lost his third fumble of the season on Sunday against the Vikings. Coleman was sprinting to the end zone with open field ahead of him when Vikings linebacker Anthony Barr poked the ball away from behind and teammate Antone Exum Jr. recovered at the Minnesota 21-yard line.
Coleman said he didn’t see Barr coming.
“I just lost regard for the ball after I broke away,” he said. “He made a good play. He got the ball. There’s nothing I could do about it.”
The Falcons selected Coleman in the third round of the draft out of Indiana and he began the season as the starter before giving way to Devonta Freeman. Coleman started against the Vikings in place of Freeman (concussion) and once again had trouble hanging on to the ball.
All of Coleman’s fumbles have happened at inopportune times.
The fumble against the Vikings ruined a 46-yard gain by Coleman, who had a chance to score after cutting from the right sideline to the middle of the field. Coleman also lost a fumble at the Falcons’ 15-yard line during the Week 10 loss to the Colts and gave away a turnover at the Saints’ nine-yard line in the Week 3 loss at New Orleans.
Following the Colts game Falcons coach Dan Quinn said he has “all the confidence in the world” in Coleman. The fumble against the Vikings was Coleman’s third in just 64 touches this season up to that point. He had 14 more carries and two catches in the game.
“I wasn’t hesitant to go back (to him) at all,” Quinn said.
The Vikings couldn’t turn Coleman’s miscue into points. Quarterback Teddy Bridgewater ended the ensuing drive by throwing an interception in the end zone.
About the Author
