The Minnesota Vikings have signed veteran free agent WR Jerome Simpson. Simpson was a 2nd round (46th overall) draft pick by the Cincinnati Bengals in 2008.
The Coastal Carolina product has appeared in 29 career games, making 18 starts over the past 4 seasons. Simpson turned in a career year in 2011, he appeared in all 16 games with 14 starts and recorded 50 receptions for 725 yards while finding the end zone 4 times. The North Carolina native produced 3 games of 100+ yards in 2011 (vs. Ind., 101, at Den., 136, at Balt., 152). 34 of Simpson’s 50 receptions in 2011 went for 1st downs. In his career, Simpson has 71 receptions for 1,004 yards and 7 touchdowns.
Simpson will be suspended for the first three games for violating the league’s substance-abuse policy. Earlier this month was sentenced to 15 days in jail and three years’ probation after pleading guilty to a felony drug charge in Kentucky. He originally was arrested last fall on a felony charge of marijuana trafficking when two pounds of marijuana were shipped to his home. His sentence includes mandatory drug testing, payment of a $7,500 fine and court costs and 200 hours of community service.
