Jerome Simpson 'so excited' to make season debut

Offseason acquisition Jerome Simpson will make his Vikings debut Sunday in Detroit after serving a three-game suspension for felony drug charges to begin the 2012 season. Simpson is ready to put the whole ordeal behind him and play football he told the St. Paul Pioneer-Press Monday:

"I'm just excited," Simpson said Monday, Sept. 24. "I couldn't wait until Monday morning came because I was just so excited. Everything is past and behind me now. Hopefully, this is the last time I've got to talk about the suspension."

Simpson is expected to start next to Percy Harvin; he has not been allowed to practice but he has been attending team meetings. Simpson, signed to a $2 million, one-year deal on April 24, has not played in any live game action since Minnesota's preseason finale Aug. 30 at Houston.

Simpson, 26, was a second-round pick by Cincinnati out of Coastal Carolina in the 2008 NFL draft. He caught 50 balls for 725 yards and four scores with the Bengals in 2011.

Jerome Simpson's Suspension Details Now Set

Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Jerome Simpson finally got long awaited details on his availability during his three-game suspension for violating the league's substance abuse policy. Simpson, who spent last year in Cincinnati, was suspended for the first three games of the season in relation to a September 2011 incident in which police intercepted a package containing 2.5 pounds of marijuana addressed to Simpson's home.

The NFL informed the Vikings on Tuesday that Simpson will be allowed to visit team facilities and attend meetings but will be prohibited from practicing and lifting weights with teammates during his suspension. Simpson has caught three passes for 43 yards this preseason, with all his catches coming in the Vikings' second preseason game against the Buffalo Bills on Aug. 17.

Simpson is likely to see time at the starting wide receiver spot opposite Percy Harvin when he returns from his suspension.

For more news on the Vikings; check out Daily Norseman and SB Nation Minnesota.

Vikings' Jerome Simpson Officially Suspended Three Games For Substance Abuse

The Minnesota Vikings signed wide receiver Jerome Simpson knowing that there was a solid chance of him missing some time in 2012 due to a substance-abuse violation. It was actually reported two months ago that Simpson would be suspended for three games for the violation, but now we've got confirmation of that.

Tom Pelissero took to Twitter to announce the confirmation from the NFL:

NFL officially confirms what has been known for nearly 2 months: Jerome Simpson has been suspended 3 games for substance-abuse violation.

— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) June 11, 2012

Simpson has been performing very well in Vikings camp - with reports of him making some acrobatic catches and impressing his teammates. Second-year quarterback Christian Ponder has expressed his excitement for having Simpson and his athleticism on board, but that will be a little tempered with the suspension.

In September 2011, police intercepted a package containing 2.5 pounds of marijuana addressed to Simpson's home, and though the package was not addressed to him specifically, the police found six pounds of marijuana when they entered his home, and he was sentenced to 15 days in jail and three years' probation with a plea agreement.

For more on the Minnesota Vikings, go to Daily Norseman. You can also get all of your professional football news over at SB Nation's NFL hub.

Vikings Free Agency: Jerome Simpson, Who Visited Vikings Over Weekend, Suspended Three Games

ESPN's Adam Schefter tweeted early Tuesday that free agent receiver Jerome Simpson, who recently visited the Minnesota Vikings, will be suspended for the first three games of the 2012 season.

Bengals free-agent WR Jerome Simpson is being suspended three games under the substance abuse policy, per NFL source.

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) April 24, 2012

In September 2011, police intercepted a package containing 2.5 pounds of marijuana that was shipped to Simpson's home. It was later revealed that the package was not addressed to Simpson -- but that was after police found six pounds of marijuana upon entering his home.

Earlier this month, Simpson was sentenced to 15 days in jail and three years' probation after striking a plea agreement.

Last season Simpson had 725 yards receiving and four touchdowns, including the now-famous flip. The St. Louis Rams are also reportedly interested in Simpson.

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