ALLEN PARK, Mich. (Oct. 3, 2005) -- Detroit Lions receiver Charles Rogers will be suspended for four games for violating the NFL's substance abuse policy, ESPN reported.
Unless Rogers appeals, the suspension could be announced this week, ESPN reported, citing sources.
"A player's status in the National Football League substance abuse program is strictly confidential unless the NFL announces a player's suspension," the Lions said in a statement. "Any questions regarding the policy should be directed to the NFL."
NFL spokesman Greg Aiello said the league had no comment.
In three games this season, Rogers has caught only five passes for 77 yards.
After a loss at Tampa Bay on Oct. 2 in which he wasn't thrown a pass until the fourth quarter, Rogers said he was confused about his current role in the offense.
The next day, he chose not to elaborate.
"Today wouldn't be a good day for me to talk. I don't want to get into all that," Rogers said, speaking before reports of his suspension surfaced.
Rogers' first two receptions in his rookie season, and he led Detroit with 22 receptions for 243 yards and three scores in five games before breaking his right collarbone in practice and missing the rest of the rookie season.
In the first quarter of the 2004 opener, Rogers broke the same bone and had season-ending surgery.
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