East Carolina Safety Hurt in Collision With Official
East Carolina safety David Coleman Jr. was carried off the field and taken to a hospital after an official slipped into him during the Temple game.
Updated on Oct. 31, 2026 in Football
During the Saturday, October 31 game between East Carolina and Temple, an official slipped and fell into the leg of East Carolina safety David Coleman Jr. in between plays. Coleman Jr. could not put weight on the leg, coaches helped carry him to the sideline, and he was taken to the hospital.
Why it matters
The injury removes a depth player from the East Carolina secondary, which has limited experience behind the starters. The collision was an accident involving an official rather than a play on the field.
Coleman Jr. has appeared in three games this season with six total tackles, and he is ranked No. 1266 nationally and No. 116 among safeties. The severity of his injury and his expected recovery time have not been announced.
The players
David Coleman Jr.
A three-star safety in the 2026 recruiting class from Kingsland, Georgia, who has been a depth contributor for East Carolina.
The details
The official was running up the field when he slipped and fell into Coleman Jr.'s leg during a stoppage between plays. Coaches helped carry the freshman safety off the field before he was taken to the hospital from Greenville, where the program is based.
Timeline
Saturday, October 31, 2026: Collision occurs during the East Carolina vs. Temple game.
Season Trajectory
Coleman Jr. is a three-star prospect from the 2026 class, and early-career injuries to depth players can shape how a defense rotates through a season. His absence adds uncertainty to East Carolina's secondary depth as the season moves toward its final weeks.
Fantasy and depth-chart managers following East Carolina's secondary will need to account for Coleman Jr.'s absence. Updates on his status will matter most for how the Pirates rotate their safeties in upcoming games.
The takeaway
A single accidental collision can change a depth player's season quickly, so fans should watch the team's official updates for Coleman Jr.'s status. Checking those updates before making lineup decisions can help avoid relying on outdated information.
Further reading
For more coverage of East Carolina's season, see Football in Greenville.
