What happened: East Carolina safety David Coleman Jr. suffered a season-ending fractured fibula when back judge Jonathan Zenquis collided with him during a 17-9 victory over Temple. Zenquis was running to separate players after the whistle when he slipped and crashed into Coleman's legs. Coleman was helped off the field at Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium and underwent halftime X-rays that revealed the break.

Why it matters: The injury sidelines a rotational defensive back and core special teams contributor for the remainder of the 2026 season. Pirates head coach Blake Harrell confirmed the freshman will miss the rest of the campaign, forcing adjustments in secondary depth ahead of November conference play.

What to watch: East Carolina continues American Athletic Conference play on Saturday when it hosts South Florida at Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium.