Eden Prairie, MN (SportsNetwork.com) – The Minnesota Vikings have released
wide receiver Jerome Simpson, after the franchise was apprised of yet another
run-in with the law.
The Minneapolis Star-Tribune reported on Thursday that Simpson was cited in
the early-morning hours of July 7 by Bloomington Police on charges of
marijuana possession, open container and violating the conditions of his
limited drivers license. He is scheduled to appear in Hennepin County Court on
Nov. 3 to face these new charges.
The 28-year-old Coastal Carolina product is currently serving a three-game
suspension for a second violation of the league’s substance-abuse policy, and
was set to return following the team’s contest against New Orleans this coming
Sunday.
It is Simpson’s second suspension in the past three years. He was also
banned for three games in 2012, his first year with the Vikings, following a
guilty plea to a felony drug charge.
In September 2011, when Simpson played for Cincinnati, police confiscated a
package containing 2 1/2 pounds of marijuana that was being shipped from
California to Simpson’s Kentucky home.
The latest suspension stems from a DWI arrest last November.
Simpson had 48 catches for a career-high 726 yards and one touchdown in 16
games, including eight starts, last season. He has 145 receptions for 2,004
yards and eight scores in six seasons with Cincinnati and Minnesota.
