There is one critical issue in the Winnipeg Blue Bombers pursuit of Charles Rogers, the No. 2 overall pick in the 2003 NFL draft: the wide receiver is ineligible to play in the Canadian Football League.

Rogers, who played only 15 career games over three years with the Detroit Lions because of injuries and a positive drug test, is suspended by the National Football League, and thus will not be permitted to play with the Blue Bombers, or any team in the CFL.

The CFL office confirmed Wednesday that Rogers is under suspension, perhaps in part why the Montreal Alouettes removed him from their confidential negotiation list. The league established a policy, in the aftermath of Ricky Williams playing for Toronto while banned from playing in the NFL, that they would adhere to discipline issued by other leagues.

Of late, Rogers was arrested in September 2008 and charged with assault and battery of a female, though charges were later dropped. In December 2008, Rogers was sentenced to attend sobriety court or face jail time after violating his probation. He tested positive for Vicodin earlier this year and in March was jailed for violating probation. Blue Bombers head coach Mike Kelly acknowledged Rogers was of interest to the team on his radio show Monday, and confirmed that again when meeting with Winnipeg media on Tuesday.