After sitting out of practice Wednesday and Thursday due to the left index finger that he lacerated in the Sunday game against the New York Jets, Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Sammie Coates was able to practice on a limited basis Friday and ended the week listed as questionable on the team’s injury report.
Coates, however, is reportedly dealing with more than just a lacerated finger, according to what Chris Mortensen reported Friday afternoon on ESPN NFL Insiders.
“What sources have told me is he not only lacerated his finger, but he also had a fracture in that finger,” Mortensen said. “It’s toward the base of that finger, so that’s a good thing, but no definitive word on whether he’ll play against the dolphins but the expectation is that he will line up and catch a few more passes from Big Ben if he can.
Coates reportedly had his left hand heavily wrapped early on in the week and was wearing a small splint on his finger on Friday, according to Mortensen.
After Friday’s practice was over, Coates was asked about his injury by the local media in the locker room and whether or not he thinks he’ll play Sunday against the Dolphins
“It’s alright, it was good,” Coates said. “We just got to see what they say and go from there.”
Coates was also asked if he was a full-go in practice on Friday.
“I was out there,” the wide receiver said.
Coates was then asked if there is any way the swelling can be prevented.
“It’s going to swell, because it’s not healed all of the way. It’s just part of the game,” he said.
As of right now, most expect Coates to dress and play against the Dolphins, so we’ll just have to wait and see what happens come Sunday and see if he shows up on the team’s pre-game inactive list.
With Coates questionable and fellow wide receiver Markus Wheaton now officially ruled out for Sunday with a shoulder injury, the Steelers are expected to promote wide receiver Cobi Hamilton from their practice squad on Saturday and if that happens, he’ll likely dress Sunday regardless of what ultimately happens with Coates.
Coates: "We'll see what they say." pic.twitter.com/qem7f78rHF
— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) October 14, 2016
