Pittsburgh Steelers: Sammie Coates to miss beginning of training camp

Things started out great for Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver, Sammie Coates, in 2016 before injuries to his hands derailed his promising start. It now seems his 2017 roster spot is in jeopardy.

After a promising start in 2016, Coates saw his hands mangled and his season went with them. He had injury problems destroy his chance to take advantage of the Bryant suspension.

Fast forward to now and Coates’ 2017 roster spot is on the hot seat. Coates will miss the beginning of training camp after undergoing a scope on his knee last week, per ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler.

This is a crushing blow to Sammie Coates’ chances of making the team this season. With Justin Hunter performing extremely well this far, Coates finds himself in the midst of a battle.

Coates missing camp time only opens the door for other players to show what they have. The best thing Coates can do is to rehab as quick as possible and come back ready to battle.

With free agent acquisition Justin Hunter performing as well as he has thus far, he is the immediate threat to Sammie Coates. Darrius Heyward-Bey and Demarcus Ayers are also major threats to his roster spot.

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Justin Hunter has been a very inconsistent receiver in his career thus far but has shown he can make this team. A second speedy, tall threat for Big Ben is very welcomed sight for fans and coaches alike.

Ayers came on strong with his limited playing time in 2016. He posted six catches for 53 yards and a touchdown off of 13 targets.  He also caught all three of his targets in the postseason.

Ayers is not a speedy guy but he is a very shifty receiver with good hands and has yards after the catch ability. He also has return ability that bolsters his skill set and his chances to make the roster.

Coates has his work cut out for him once he returns. Not only are Hunter, Ayers and Heyward-Bey threats but the Steelers have three other wide receivers foaming at the mouth to prove what they can do in camp.

The Steelers will far from guarantee Coates a spot on this club in 2017. After his disappointing season a year ago, he will have a huge weight on his shoulders when after he returns.

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Injuries and inconsistency from Coates are the two major factors playing against him for 2017. If he can rehab, come back, and produce like he did in week one through five last season, he could save his job for another year.