Tennessee Football: Da'Rick Rogers Still a Vol, but for How Long?

With Tennessee wide receiver Da'Rick Rogers absent from the team's Thursday morning practice, rumors were swirling about his uncertain future in Knoxville.  

A Chattanooga Times Free Press report on Thursday morning (Mar. 29) confirmed that Rogers was not at practice, and it was a big enough deal for Derek Dooley to field questions on the matter.  

"He's got some things he's got to do internally," Dooley told reporters after practice.  "I wouldn't call it anything other than he's got to do some things. When he does, he'll come back, and when he doesn't, he's not going to be here," said the coach, in what could be taken as an almost indifferent tone. 

The former Calhoun, Georgia blue chip recruit put up an impressive 1,040 yards and nine touchdowns in 2011, in a season that impressed Vols fans, and gave some hope for the passing game in 2012. 

As for Rogers' future with the Volunteers, it seems that his coach is unaware of any intention to jump ship.

"I don't have any knowledge of him wanting to leave," he told reporters. "He's never told me that or indicated that to me or anybody else."

Rogers, who originally committed to Georgia, changed his mind late in the game and joined his best friend Nash Nance at Tennessee. Nance had originally been committed to Vanderbilt, but was rumored to be involved in a package deal initiated before Dooley became the head coach.  

Rogers has had a bit of a troubled time in Knoxville, having been arrested for his involvement in a Knoxville bar fight during the summer before the 2010 season.  

In an earlier article in December of last year, the Times Free Press confirmed Dooley's announcement that Rogers had not been suspended, despite the paper's previous reports.