During the first quarter of the Buffalo Bills Monday Night Football In the Week 3 clash with the Jacksonville Jaguars, rookie wide receiver Keon Coleman was nowhere to be seen on the field with the rest of the offense, leaving many wondering if an injury kept him out of the game.
But Coleman was perfectly healthy, ESPN reported. So why didn’t he play? In live action, the situation was initially explained as a question of game strategy.
As it turned out, the Bills’ game plan included a very valuable lesson for the rookie receiver in the first quarter. Coleman had to sit on Buffalo’s bench for the entire first quarter as a disciplinary measure.
After the game, head coach Sean McDermott told reporters that the team decided to bench Keon Coleman because he arrived late at One Bills Drive before Monday night’s game.
Bills HC Sean McDermott said they benched rookie WR Keon Coleman in the first quarter because of time issues.
— Joe Buscaglia (@JoeBuscaglia) 24 September 2024
There are expectations placed on every NFL player regardless of status or position, and many teams have used similar tactics as a teaching moment. If there was any confusion before, it’s a safe bet that Coleman clearly understands the importance of getting to the game on time.
Thankfully, Keon Coleman’s night went much better than it had started. Coleman made up for lost time when he and quarterback Josh Allen scored a 24-yard touchdown late in the second quarter.
Coleman’s only hit of the game became a moment he will never forget – his first touchdown in the NFL. And an unforgettable one at that:
