Free Agent Wide Receiver Jerome Simpson Suspended For Three Games By The League

According to ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter, free agent wide receiver Jerome Simpson will be suspended three games "under the substance abuse policy" in 2012. Simpson was sentenced to 15 days in jail earlier this month after pleading guilty to a felony drug charge, which includes 200 hours of community service and three years of probation, after approximately two pounds of marijuana was delivered to his home from California last September.

Though Bengals head coach Marvin Lewis left the door open for Simpson's return to Cincinnati, the four-year receiver and former 2008 second-round draft pick, has reportedly visited with the Minnesota Vikings and St. Louis Rams this month. His most recent visit with the Vikings reportedly "went incredibly well", but ended without a contract being signed because Minnesota wanted to know the discipline that Simpson would face.

As for the Bengals, we believe that as long as other teams are negotiating with Simpson, that Cincinnati's interest will limited at best. We don't see them competing against other teams, but if the interest turns into zilch with no teams showing interest, then Simpson likely could return -- which doesn't appear to be the case anyway.