East Carolina's David Coleman Jr fractures fibula in accidental referee collision

East Carolina defensive back David Coleman Jr suffered a fractured fibula after an official accidentally collided with him during Saturday's 17-9 victory over Temple. Coach Blake Harrell confirmed the injury after the game, with BBC Sport reporting that an X-ray taken at half-time revealed the fracture. Coleman recorded one tackle before leaving the contest.

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The incident occurred between plays in the first half, rather than during a tackle or another competitive passage of play. According to BBC Sport, Coleman was alongside team-mates when the official approached from behind near the 40-yard line, lost his footing and slid into him. Two members of the team subsequently helped Coleman leave the field without putting weight on the injured leg.

Harrell's account, carried in Yahoo Sports' reporting, described the official moving towards two players after a kick return to ensure they had heard the whistle and separated. He characterised the collision as accidental and expressed concern for Coleman. Neither that account nor the BBC report specified a recovery timetable, so the confirmed diagnosis does not establish when the defensive back might return.

Coleman is a freshman from Kingsland, Georgia, who entered college football as a three-star recruit in the 2026 class, according to On3. His tackle against Temple took his season total to seven. Yahoo Sports, citing East Carolina's website, reported that Saturday was his fourth appearance of the campaign, placing the setback early in his college career.

The Pirates ended a two-game losing run with the victory and improved to 4-4 overall and 2-2 in American Conference games, On3 reported. Mitch Griffis returned to the starting quarterback role after Emory Williams had played in recent weeks. Griffis completed 17 of 30 passes for 130 yards, throwing one interception and no touchdown passes against the Owls.

East Carolina's rushing attack supplied both touchdowns. TJ Engleman Jr gained 107 yards on 16 carries and scored once, while Ashton Gray contributed 58 yards and a touchdown from 15 attempts. Griffis added 30 rushing yards. The win restored the Pirates to an even record, but it came with an injury to a young member of their defensive backfield.