San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Jerome Simpson has been suspended without pay for the first six games of the season for violating the NFL Policy and Program for Substances of Abuse.
The suspension is because of an arrest in July of 2014. The arrest led to the Minnesota Vikings releasing Simpson. The 49ers knew about this when they signed him as a free agent during the offseason.
The news was not a complete shock to the 49ers. General manager Trent Baalke stated, "The probability of a suspension was known when we signed Jerome," and went on to say, "We are in full support of the NFL's decision."
According to Matt Barrows of the Sacramento Bee, Simpson will be eligible to return the day after the 49ers game against the Baltimore Ravens.
Simpson signed a two-year contract with the 49ers on March 5, 2015. On a good note, this increases the likelihood that a youngster like DeAndrew White makes the team as they await Simpson's return.
49ers WR Jerome Simpson suspended without pay for first six games of season for violating NFL Policy and Program for Substances of Abuse.
— Matt Maiocco (@MaioccoCSN) August 18, 2015
This is Jerome Simpson's third NFL suspension, also started 2012, 2014 and now 2015 on suspended list. Today's stems from arrest w/ Vikings
— Cam Inman (@CamInman) August 18, 2015