Sammie Coates Reportedly Underwent Surgery on Knee Injury

Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Sammie Coates reportedly will miss the beginning of training camp after having a knee scope a week ago, per Jeremy Fowler of ESPN. 

Fowler reported Coates may return by mid-August from the injury that occurred during offseason training.

Coates received extended playing time last year due to Martavis Bryant's season-long suspension. The former Auburn star showed big-play potential with a team-high 20.7 yards per reception, though his catch percentage of 42.9 was second-worst on the Steelers. 

With Pittsburgh getting Bryant back and adding USC standout JuJu Smith-Schuster, Coates figured to be the odd man out of the wide receiver mix. 

The good news for the Steelers is they have so much offensive firepower with quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, running back Le'Veon Bell and wide receiver Antonio Brown that losing a speedster such as Coates won't significantly impact their ability to get the ball in the end zone. 

Coates' absence during the beginning of training camp also opens the door for 2017 second-round pick Smith-Schuster to establish himself.