Da'Rick Rogers returns to practice

KNOXVILLE - Da'Rick Rogers was back at Tennessee's practice on Saturday morning after completing the "internal" requirements that kept him off the practice field on Thursday.

Derek Dooley, the Volunteers' third-year coach, gave the indication that everything was fine with his troubled receiver.

"You know, it was something he had to do, he did it and he's back," Dooley said after practice. "He's doing good. He had a good day out there today. He had good energy, good job covering punts a couple times. He's obviously an extremely talented player. Glad he took care of what he had to do.

Dooley characterized his recent conversations with Rogers as "extremely positive" and added that he doesn't feel Rogers' recent back-and-forth moves in and out of the doghouse are a distraction.

"Da'Rick's been fine," the coach said. "I don't worry about that, and if he is, then we handle it just like any other player."

Rogers reportedly missed some time during the Vols' offseason workouts last month after an incident with the strength and conditioning staff. The former Calhoun High School star also faced a similar kind of punishment to the one he faced this week back in December, shortly after breaking the 1,000-yard mark and earning All-SEC honors. Rogers will meet with the media after Monday's practice, Dooley said.

Dooley also gave no credence to anything connecting Rogers to a possible transfer to Georgia State. Rogers' Twitter and a report on the Scout.com site covering the GSU program linked the rising junior to the school.

"I don't know anything about that," Dooley said. "I really don't. I heard there was a quote by him on the web site. Da'Rick didn't give me any indication, I mean, there was zero indication of any of that stuff. He's going to talk to you guys Monday.

"We're not holding him from the media. We just rotate our guys, and he'll talk to you Monday. I don't know anything about all that web site reporting, and you can ask him. That didn't even come up, and we've talked for hours since two days ago."

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