The NFL has suspended Steelers receiver Eli Rogers for one game for violation of the league's substance abuse policy, it was announced Tuesday.
Rogers, 25, was signed to a one-year deal by the team at the start of training camp after spending the offseason rehabbing a torn ACL suffered Jan. 14 in the Steelers' 45-42 playoff loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars.
"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," said Steelers GM Kevin Colbert. "The suspension will begin following the final roster cutdown on Sept. 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."
Rogers initially signed with the Steelers as an undrafted free agent out of Louisville. He has caught 66 passes for 743 yards and four touchdowns in the past two seasons and also returned 26 punts for an average of 7.3 yards.
Odds are Rogers was going to open the season on the PUP List, which would mean he would not be on the active roster for the first six games of the regular season. If that were to occur, his suspension would coincide with his time on the PUP List and he would not miss a game if the Steelers choose to place him on the 53-man roster.