A grievance hearing that was scheduled earlier this week in regards to the Lions trying to get $10.1 million back from Charles Rogers was waived. Rather than meet in person, the arbitrator heard each side via a conference call and briefs were submitted.
The conference call was Tuesday, a day before the rescheduled hearing was to be held in the Detroit area, according to Lions executive vice president Tom Lewand.
An arbitrator, with no timetable, will decide if Rogers must pay back the Lions more than $10 million of the former receiver's $14 million-plus signing bonus because he was suspended in 2005 for violating the NFL's substance abuse policy.
If the ruling is in the Lions' favor, the club would get salary-cap relief the season after it collects the money from Rogers.
Since there's no timetable for a decision, the Lions will be waiting for the news to come unexpectedly. If, in fact, Detroit does receive the $10.1 million back, it will be a nice addition to the salary cap when all is said and done.