Report: Vikings to sign WR Jerome Simpson

The Vikings have agreed to a one-year deal with WR Jerome Simpson, according to FOX Sports, despite the former Cincinnati Bengal facing a three-game suspension.

The Vikings signed wide receiver Jerome Simpson to a one-year contract, according to Jay Glazer of FoxSports.com.

Simpson visited the Vikings over the weekend, but Tuesday morning brought news that Simpson has been suspended three games for violating the NFL’s substance abuse policy. The NFL had no comment on the report, spokesman Greg Aiello wrote in an e-mail to Viking Update Tuesday morning, but the league is likely waiting to see if Simpson appeals the suspension.

Simpson was sentenced to 15 days in jail and three years’ probation earlier this month, a reduction in jail time from the recommended 60 days after reaching an agreement with Simpson.

Simpson pleaded guilty March 1 to the felony charge resulting from about 2 pounds of marijuana shipped to his northern Kentucky home in September. He was indicted on a felony charge of marijuana trafficking, but the plea agreement changed the charge to a prohibited act relating to controlled substances, also a felony.

Simpson told the judge that he would try through community service to help others not to make the same mistake. Several people testified at the hearing on his behalf, including his agent and a woman who works with him as a volunteer at a church in Covington that feeds the homeless and needy. They praised Simpson for his community service, a point that the judge noted in his remarks before sentencing.

Simpson was a second-round draft pick from Coastal Carolina in 2008. He caught 53 passes for 758 yards and four touchdowns last season. A heels-over-head flip over a defender to score a touchdown became a staple of NFL highlight films.

The Simpson signing at least helps with depth in the Vikings' receiving corps after he serves his suspension and gives them a stretch-the-field receiver who, at 6-foot-2, can also go up for jump balls. He joins Percy Harvin, Michael Jenkins, Devin Aromashodu, Emmanuel Arceneaux, Stephen Burton, Bryan Walters, Kerry Taylor and Kris Adams in the receiving corps, and the Vikings also are likely to draft at least one receiver later this week.

In addition to visiting the Vikings, he also visited the St. Louis Rams and the Cincinnati Bengals had expressed a willingness to re-sign him as well.

-- The Associated Press contributed to this article.

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