Knee injury lands Coates on PUP list to start camp

LATROBE, Pa. —  The Steelers will be without two of their top deep threats at the start of training camp.

In addition to Martavis Bryant not being permitted to practice until he is fully reinstated by the National Football League, Sammie Coates was placed on the physically unable to perform (PUP) list because of an injury to his meniscus, Mike Tomlin told reporters after players reported for camp Thursday at Saint Vincent College.



Coates told reporters early Thursday that he did not expect to miss much time because of the knee injury, and did not seem too frustrated with the timing of it, though Tomlin would not offer a timeline for his return.

"That's part of the game," Coates said as players reported for training camp. "There's going to be competition. I have to be ready to go."

Coates, a third-round draft pick in 2015, had his knee scoped last week to repair damage to his meniscus. The Steelers wide receiver had the procedure done twice since the end of what was a difficult 2016 season.

He caught 19 passes through the first five games, was targeted a total of 31 times and had five straight weeks of a 40-yard-or-longer reception, which led the league. However, during his most productive game of the season on Oct. 9 against the Jets -- six passes for 139 yards and two touchdowns -- Coates broke his left index finger and suffered a gash on his hand that required stitches.

Following that injury, Coates was targeted 17 times and had only two receptions for 14 yards the rest of the season. He was among the league leaders with five drops. Coates finished the year with 21 catches for 435 yards and two touchdowns.

This latest setback comes at an inopportune time for Coates. With Bryant set to miss a yet-to-be-determined amount of time, Coates could have seized a spot in a crowded receivers room.

The Steelers also have Antonio Brown, JuJu Smith-Schuster, Eli Rogers, Darrius Heyward-Bey, Cobi Hamilton, Justin Hunter and Demarcus Ayers on the roster. Brown, Smith-Schuster, Bryant and Rogers are all but guaranteed spots on the roster.

That potentially leaves two spots open with plenty of competition, but Coates has proven he has impeccable upside and is only 24 years old. He is under contract through 2018 with a cap hit of $797,878.

"It was leftover stuff from the end of the season,” said Coates. “It should be better now. It’s an old injury. I got it cleaned up at the end of the season, too.”