NFL suspends WR Jerome Simpson 6 games

SANTA CLARA — The San Francisco 49ers just announced the NFL has suspended wide receiver Jerome Simpson for the first six games of next season.

The Minnesota Vikings cut Simpson in 2014 after he was charged with driving with an open container of alcohol and possession of marijuana. Earlier that year, Simpson pleaded guilty to third-degree DUI and careless driving. Simpson’s six-game suspension seems to be the NFL’s punishment for these incidents.

The Niners signed Simpson this offseason to a two-year, $$1.73-million contract, presumably to be the team’s No. 3 receiver. While he’s serving his suspension the No. 3 receiver will be either Bruce Ellington, Quinton Patton or DeAndrew White.

UPDATE: Here’s a written statement from 49ers general manager Trent Baalke: “The probability of a suspension was known when we signed Jerome. Since joining the 49ers, Jerome has proven to be a great teammate. Although he will not be able to participate in the first six weeks of the season, Jerome has done everything asked of him, both on and off the field. We are in full support of the NFL’s decision, and look forward to Jerome’s future contributions to our organization.”

This article has 30 Comments

  1. In a perfect situation one of the 3 potential players will capture the spot while he’s out and the team will simply cut him.

  2. I am being lazy, but this article/report would have been more informative if it included the details of the contract. How much of that money is guaranteed? Can’t the team simply walk away from Simpson without incurring a fee?
    I assume White will get the spot.

  3. …..is it too much work to add

    “The probability of a suspension was known when we signed Jerome,” General Manager Trent Baalke said in a statement. “Since joining the 49ers, Jerome has proven to be a great teammate. Although he will not be able to participate in the first six weeks of the season, Jerome has done everything asked of him, both on and off the field. We are in full support of the NFL’s decision, and look forward to Jerome’s future contributions to our organization.”

    1. I would think so but neither of those guys is a returner. I’m also thinking that Ellington is also not a forsure. He showed glimpses last year but he’s also a guy who’s been hurt since being drafted.
      It would be great to see White become the next one/John Taylor!

      1. Boldin, Torrey Smith, and maybe DeAndre White, and after that its up to those guys to do something this preseason. I wasn’t impressed by anyone Saturday outside of Simpson.

    1. Patton has been in the league 3 years. He is out of time. He is a great guy that just didn’t fit in SF.

  4. Suspended for drugs? Simpson? Shocker. On his last leg in the NFL. Opens a roster spot. Can make it more likely for White and Hayne to make the team.

        1. The article was long on snappy jabs at the niners and regurgitated doom and gloom talking points that the national media has been putting out there all off season and short on actual, you know, analysis.

          The comments section reads like a bunch of casual fans who think they know the team, but I bet each of them would struggle to name the player(s) vying to replace the departed.

          There are questions to be answered, but the 49ers still have a good roster.

    1. Who even reads that garbage let alone anyone predicting NFL outcomes in the summer?
      The NFL has been unpredictable since its inception. No one knows how good or how bad a team will be!
      I’m not a homer but cmon! Tomsula has already been labelled a failure. Does anyone even know who this guy is? No they don’t but that’s not reason to believe he won’t win!

  5. This should not come as a shock, but too bad because he is really good. If this lets us keep someone like White, though, it’s a blessing. Right, they can cut Simpson in six months, but if TSmith gets injured, thank goodness he’ll be available.

    1. I think it was a year ago and his second and third offense very close together. He gets one more chance and we will have the option to bring him back after the sixth game. Except for the exact number of weeks, and it was all known when he was signed. He’s the guy that had grass mailed to his house.

  6. Think of Simpson as a six week injury insurance policy for very little cost with a long shot possibility for long term benefits.

    1. This is a game of attrition. I fully expect a WR to go down to injury by the 7th game. Simpson is good depth for the late season.

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