Chicago Bears’ Douglas Coleman III released from hospital and returning to Chicago after frightening on-field injury

Reed Hoffmann/AP

Chicago Bears safety Douglas Coleman III has been released from a Kansas City area hospital hours after suffering a frightening injury Thursday night. The 26-year-old was taken off the field on a stretcher during the team’s preseason game against the Super Bowl champion Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium.

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

”Douglas Coleman, that young man that was injured yesterday, was released from the hospital and he’s walking around,” Eberflus said Friday afternoon. “I did talk to him. He’s in good spirits. He flew back to Chicago, I think he’s landing at about this time.”

Coleman was hurt early in the third quarter after attempting to tackle Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Cornell Powell. He fell to the ground and lay motionless as players from both teams took a knee and medical personnel attended to the player.

Coleman was eventually put on a stretcher and placed on a medical cart. Bears players and coaches came to the cart to show their support.

Fans at Arrowhead Stadium gave Coleman an ovation as he was carted off the field.

The Bears would go on to defeat the Chiefs 34-21 to finish the preseason with a 4-0 record.

Following the game, Eberflus told reporters Coleman had movement in his limbs and had been taken to the hospital to be evaluated.

“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 but I don’t have anything more than that,” Eberflus said. “He is at the hospital right now getting evaluated.”

The 26-year-old safety went undrafted in the 2020 NFL Draft out of Texas Tech University and played in the Canadian Football League for the last two seasons. He signed a futures contract with Chicago this offseason.

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