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When wide receiver Eli Rogers left the AFC Playoff game loss with a torn ACL last season, everyone who knows anything about knee injuries knew it would be tough for him to be ready for the 2018 regular season.
Nonetheless, Rogers has progressed through his rehabilitation and is ready to make his decision where he will play this year. He visited the Kansas City Chiefs and Cleveland Browns this week, but left both locations without a contract.
His next stop? Where it all began with the black-and-gold:
Source confirms WR Eli Rogers visits the Steelers today. He has visited the Chiefs and the Browns this week. Rogers tore ACL vs. Jaguars in January.
— ProFootballTalk (@ProFootballTalk) July 25, 2018
There is a good chance the Steelers told Rogers to test the free agent waters, see what he comes up with, in terms of an offer, and let them know so they can decide if they want to match the offer or let him play elsewhere.
Some might also suggest the fact Rogers left without a contract in both previous locations his knee might not be 100-percent healthy, and his workout exposed this truth.
Either way, the Steelers should know how he is doing more than anyone, considering Rogers rehabbed at the team’s facility and prepared himself for the grind of training camp and the season — wherever that may be.
Is there a spot on the Steelers’ roster for Rogers? Could he man the slot as he did in 2015 and 2016? That certainly has yet to be determined, but it wouldn’t be a shock to see the Steelers come to terms on a new deal for Rogers in the very near future.
Stay tuned to BTSC for the latest on this story, and others, as the team reports to training camp today.