By Brandon Wallace
SteelerNation.com
NFL suspending Steelers WR Eli Rogers one game for violation of the substance abuse policy. GM Kevin Colbert says in a statement that the team is disappointed that Rogers has been suspended.
— Jeremy Fowler (@JFowlerESPN) August 21, 2018
Here's the Steelers' official statement regarding Rogers via Steelers.com:
"Statement by Steelers General Manager Kevin Colbert on Eli Rogers:
We are disappointed that Eli Rogers has been suspended for Week 1 of the regular season as part of the NFL Policy and Program for Substances of Abuse.
The suspension will begin following the final roster cutdown on September 1. He will be allowed to continue his rehabilitation and attend meetings at team’s headquarters, but he will not be permitted to practice with the team during his suspension or attend the Week 1 game.
Statement by an NFL spokesperson:
Eli Rogers of the Pittsburgh Steelers has been suspended without pay for the first game of the 2018 regular season for violating the NFL Policy and Program for Substances of Abuse.
Rogers will be eligible to return to the Steelers’ active roster on Monday, September 10 following the team’s September 9 game against the Cleveland Browns.
Rogers is eligible to participate in all preseason practices and games."
Rogers is currently recovering from an ACL tear he suffered in January. In 2016, Rogers landed 48 receptions for 594 yards, adding three touchdowns, while this past season, he was only able to obtain 18 receptions as the Steelers' 4th wide receiver on the depth chart.
While Rogers continues to miss time, rookie James Washington seems to be the biggest beneficiary in Rogers' absence. More details to come.
