Vikings' Simpson suspended, fined

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NEW YORK, June 11 (UPI) -- Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Jerome Simpson has been suspended and fined for violating the NFL's substance abuse policy, the league said Monday.

Simpson, who pleaded guilty in March to a felony marijuana charge, was suspended three games and fined the equivalent of four games' pay -- one-quarter of his annual salary. He would be eligible to return to the active roster Sept. 24.

The league release said Simpson would be allowed to participate in off-season and pre-season practices and games.

He joined the Vikings in April after four seasons with the Cincinnati Bengals. He caught 50 passes for 725 yards and four touchdowns last season. Overall with the Bengals, he caught 71 passes for 1,004 yards and seven touchdowns.

Before signing with Minnesota, a judge in Kentucky sentenced Simpson to 15 days in jail after a guilty plea to a felony drug charge. Last September, police intercepted a package containing 2 1/2 pounds of marijuana that had been sent to Simpson's home in Kentucky.