He was drafted second overall after Carson Palmer in the
2003 NFL Draft by the Detroit Lions, one selection ahead of two-time Pro Bowl WR
Andre Johnson.
Rogers caught 22 passes for 243 yards and three touchdowns during his first five games of the 2003 season, before breaking his
collarbone while practicing a speed drill with
Dré Bly, leaving him out for the season. He was expected to come back, however, in the third play of the 2004 regular season, Rogers suffered another broken collarbone, and was once again out for the season. Injuries would prove to derail his career.
During the
2005 season, Rogers was suspended 4 games for a third violation of the NFL's substance abuse policy. As a result of this violation, the Lions filed a grievance, claiming that his drug suspension violated a clause in his contract, which would mean Rogers would be obligated to return $10 million of the $14.2 million the Lions gave him in bonuses. The grievance is still pending.
Upon his return from suspension, despite the fact that Rogers was deemed healthy, he played only nine games, with three starts, and was declared inactive for four games. He caught 14 passes for 197 yards and a touchdown.
On September 2, 2006, Rogers was released by the Lions. According to Lion
coach Rod Marinelli, "We picked the men that are right for this football team", said Marinelli.
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