Wide receiver Jerome Simpson will not be with the San Francisco 49ers in the opening and early parts of the 2015 season as he was slapped with a six-game suspension by the National Football League (NFL) for the violation of the league's substance abuse policy.
According to 49ers general manager Trent Baalke, they were okay signing Simpson early in the offseason despite the fact that there is a possibility he will be suspended.
Now, he is and according to ESPN's Adam Schefter, a source shared that Simpson's original suspension was for 10 games but it was reduced to six.
Simpson did not play for the entire 2014 season after he was released by the Minnesota Vikings last September.
The Vikings decided to part ways with him because of a July 2014 arrest where he faced misdemeanor charges for driving with a limited driver's license, marijuana possession, and an open bottle in a motor vehicle.
Before that, Simpson already faced suspension after a marijuana-related arrest in 2011.
Simpson started his career with the Cincinnati Bengals who drafted him 46th overall in the 2008 draft. He played his first three seasons with the team before signing with the Vikings.
In his entire career, Simpson played in 57 regular season games, having 145 receptions for 2,004 yards and eight touchdowns.
Putting all the off-field issues behind him, Simpson is happy to be given another chance by the 49ers.
"It's been a blessing to get back to playing football. I was off for a year. I'm just blessed to be with this organization of people that stand behind me, really believe in Jerome Simpson. I'm just really committed to proving the people that are behind me right," Simpson said, according to the Associated Press.
Meanwhile, 49ers head coach Jim Tomsula believes in Simpson and thinks the receiver can turn things around in to a success story.
San Francisco was suddenly on a rebuilding stage after a massive departure of their players early in the offseason because of retirement and free agency.
