Sammie Coates: Pittsburgh Steelers WR playing with broken fingers

Pittsburgh Steelers receiver Sammie Coates has two broken fingers on his left hand, coach Mike Tomlin revealed Tuesday.

Coates injured his left index finger against the New York Jets in Week 5 and his production began to suffer. He had 421 receiving yards over the first five games and has just one catch for 4 yards over the past four.

Coates apparently fractured the ring finger during his slump.

Tomlin said the injuries have limited Coates' ability to be a productive receiver.

Also on Tuesday, the Steelers placed linebacker Steven Johnson on injured reserve and signed fellow linebacker L.J. Fort to the active roster.

Johnson hurt his ankle in Sunday's 35-30 loss to the Dallas Cowboys and is eligible to return in the postseason, should Pittsburgh qualify and if the team hasn't already designated a player to return from injured reserve.

The 28-year-old has recorded six tackles and a forced fumble in six games while playing primarily on special teams. Johnson began his NFL career by spending three seasons with the Denver Broncos before playing with the Tennessee Titans in 2015.

Fort rejoins the team after being released in favor of Pittsburgh activating tight end Ladarius Green ahead of last Sunday's game against Dallas. The 26-year-old Fort collected two tackles in seven games with the Steelers this season after recording 13 and one interception in 2015 with the Cleveland Browns.