Chicago Bears' Douglas Coleman III released from hospital and returns to Chicago after horrific on-field injury

CNN
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Chicago Bears safety Douglas Coleman III was released from a hospital near Kansas City just hours after his serious injury on Thursday evening. The 26-year-old was carried off the field on a stretcher during his team's preseason game against the Super Bowl champion Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium.

Bears coach Matt Eberflus said in an interview with 670 The Fan in Chicago on Friday that Coleman was “in good spirits” and was flying back to Chicago.

“Douglas Coleman, the young man who was injured yesterday, has been released from the hospital and is back on his feet,” Eberflus said Friday afternoon. “I've spoken to him. He's in good spirits. He's flown back to Chicago, I think he'll be landing around this time.”

Coleman was injured early in the third quarter while attempting to tackle Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Cornell Powell. He fell to the ground and remained motionless while players from both teams took to their knees and medical personnel tended to the player.

Coleman was eventually placed on a stretcher and placed in an ambulance. Bears players and coaches came to the vehicle to show their support.

The fans at Arrowhead Stadium gave Coleman a standing ovation as he was carried off the field.

The Bears defeated the Chiefs 34-21 and finished the preseason with a record of 4-0.

After the game, Eberflus told reporters that Coleman was able to move his limbs and was taken to the hospital for evaluation.

“When I was on the field and standing there on the Chiefs sideline, he was moving his limbs. He gave us the thumbs up, which was really an encouragement for our football team, but that's all I can say,” Eberflus said. “He's in the hospital right now being checked out.”

The 26-year-old safety came from Texas Tech University and was not selected in the 2020 NFL Draft. He played the last two seasons in the Canadian Football League. In the offseason, he signed a futures contract with Chicago.