Jerome Simpson - Pro Football Rumors

49ers Cut Jerome Simpson, Eight Others, Place Eric Rogers On IR

August 27th, 2016 at 5:51pm CST by Sam Robinson

The 49ers released Jerome Simpson and waived eight other players, Matt Maiocco of CSNBayArea.com reports (on Twitter). They also placed coveted ex-CFL wide receiver Eric Rogers on IR after he tore his ACL earlier this month.

Here are the other players San Francisco cut today:

WR DiAndre Campbell
RB Kendall Gaskins
DT Darren Lake
K John Lunsford
ILB Wynton McManis
G Blake Muir
G Ian Silberman
CB Cleveland Wallace

Originally a Bengals second-round pick in 2008, Simpson has seen action in seven seasons — with Cincinnati from 2008-11, Minnesota from 2012-13 and with the 49ers last year — but saw a suspension derail his most recent one. The 30-year-old wideout signed a two-year, $1.73MM deal with San Francisco before last season but saw a substance-abuse policy suspension shelve him for six games. Simpson, who recorded 700-yard+ seasons with the Bengals and Vikings, made just five receptions for 54 yards in 2015.

The 49ers, who have to make four cuts to get to the 75-man limit by the Tuesday-afternoon deadline, do not owe Simpson any guaranteed money.

Rogers, who chose to sign with the 49ers because of Chip Kelly‘s presence, received the most lucrative deal for a CFL refugee since Cameron Wake in 2009. He fielded offers from nearly half the league after re-establishing his stock, one that didn’t initially attract much NFL interest after signing with the Cowboys as a UDFA in 2013.

Gaskins played in nine games for the Niners last season, receiving 16 carries and gaining 38 yards as a rookie.

49ers Place Antoine Bethea On IR

October 23rd, 2015 at 3:29pm CST by Luke Adams

The 49ers have ended the season of safety Antoine Bethea, according to Matt Maiocco of CSNBayArea.com, who reports that Bethea has been placed on the injured reserve list. The move clears a spot on the roster for wide receiver Jerome Simpson, who is returning from a six-game suspension.

Bethea, 31, hasn’t missed a regular season game since 2007, playing – and starting – an incredible 146 out of a possible 151 games over the course of his 10 NFL seasons. However, he’ll be sidelined for the final nine games of the Niners’ 2015 campaign due to a shoulder injury.

Bethea left Thursday night’s game against the Seahawks with the shoulder issue, and was having an MRI conducted today, so we can assume the results of that MRI weren’t great. Safety Jaquiski Tartt looks like the best bet to take over for Bethea’s job for the second half of the season, assuming the leg injury he sustained on Thursday isn’t serious.

As for Simpson, the Niners had been granted a roster exemption for the suspended wideout, allowing the team to keep him on the reserve/suspended list for an extra few days, following his six-game ban. Now that he’s on the 53-man roster, the ex-Viking will be eligible to play in San Francisco’s next game.

49ers Get Roster Exemption For J. Simpson

October 19th, 2015 at 5:07pm CST by Zachary Links

The 49ers have been granted a one-game roster exemption for wide receiver Jerome Simpson, who is coming off of suspension, as Cam Inman of the Mercury News tweets. Simpson, who was suspended for three games to start the 2014 season, served his latest penalty as a result of a July incident in Bloomington, Minnesota.

While Simpson has had his share of off-field issues, he had productive seasons on the field in 2011 and 2013. The numbers the 29-year-old posted for the Bengals in ’11 (50 receptions, 725 yards, four touchdowns) were nearly identical to the ones he put up for Minnesota in ’13 (48 receptions, 726 yards, one TD).

Along with Torrey Smith, Simpson was one of the free agents brought in this season by Baalke and company to replace a slew of departing players, including receivers Michael Crabtree, Stevie Johnson, and Brandon Lloyd. Some were surprised that San Francisco signed Simpson soon after their release of Ray McDonald, but the club is presumably confident that the wide receiver will stay on the straight and narrow.

49ers Put Kendall Hunter On IR, Set Roster

September 5th, 2015 at 5:44pm CST by Luke Adams

Linebacker Ahmad Brooks, facing a sexual battery charge, remains on the 49ers’ roster following the team’s cuts today. As Cam Inman of the Bay Area News Group tweets, general manager Trent Baalke issued a statement saying that the club is continuing to let the legal process under the league’s personal conduct policy. According to Eric Branch of the San Francisco Chronicle (Twitter link), the NFL has announced it has no basis for placing Brooks on the commissioner’s exempt list for now.

After announcing six cuts yesterday and then acquiring center Nick Easton from the Ravens today, the 49ers required 17 roster moves to get down to 53 players. The most notable among those 17 transactions might have been the decision to place running back Kendall Hunter on injured reserve for the second straight year. Here are the rest of the Niners’ moves, via a press release:

Cut:

WR DiAndre Campbell
CB Marcus Cromartie
G/C Dillon Farrell
RB Kendall Gaskins
TE Xavier Grimble
CB Leon McFadden
LB Nick Moody
DT Kaleb Ramsey
OL Justin Renfrow
DL Marcus Rush
NT Garrison Smith
QB Dylan Thompson
G Andrew Tiller
S Jermaine Whitehead

Placed on injured reserve:

TE Rory Anderson
RB Kendall Hunter

Reserve/suspended:

WR Jerome Simpson

Additionally, the 49ers made a move with a player who had been removed from their active roster already, reaching an injury settlement with linebacker Desmond Bishop, per Matt Barrows of the Sacramento Bee (Twitter links). Bishop, who had been on San Francisco’s injured reserve list, is now a free agent and is healthy enough to contribute right away if he finds a new team.

49ers’ Jerome Simpson Suspended Six Games

August 18th, 2015 at 3:46pm CST by Luke Adams

3:46pm: Simpson’s suspension was initially going to be for 10 games, but was reduced to six games through the appeal process, tweets Adam Schefter of ESPN.com.

3:37pm: An offseason littered with bad news for the 49ers got a little worse for the club today. Niners wide receiver Jerome Simpson has been suspended six games for violating the NFL’s policy and program on substances of abuse, the team announced today in a press release.

Simpson, who was suspended for three games to start the 2014 season, faces his latest penalty as a result of a July incident in Bloomington, Minnesota. The veteran receiver initially faced misdemeanor charges of marijuana possession, driving with an open bottle and violating limited license restrictions for that legal run-in last July.

“The probability of a suspension was known when we signed Jerome,” general manager Trent Baalke said, per Cam Inman of the San Jose Mercury News. “Since joining the 49ers, Jerome has proven to be a great teammate. … Although he will not be able to participate in the first six weeks of the season, Jerome has done everything asked of him, both on and off the field. We are in full support of the NFL’s decision, and look forward to Jerome’s future contributions to our organization.”

While Simpson has had his share of off-field issues, he had productive seasons on the field in 2011 and 2013. The numbers the 29-year-old posted for the Bengals in ’11 (50 receptions, 725 yards, four touchdowns) were nearly identical to the ones he put up for Minnesota in ’13 (48 receptions, 726 yards, one TD).

Along with Torrey Smith, Simpson was one of the free agents brought in this season by Baalke and company to replace a slew of departing players, including receivers Michael Crabtree, Stevie Johnson, and Brandon Lloyd.

49ers Sign Jerome Simpson

March 7th, 2015 at 12:32pm CST by Luke Adams

SATURDAY, 12:32pm: Simpson’s two-year deal is worth $1.73MM, reports USA Today’s Tom Pelissero (via Twitter). The deal contains no guaranteed money.

THURSDAY, 4:36pm: After hosting him for a free agent visit, the 49ers have reached an agreement to sign wide receiver Jerome Simpson, reports Field Yates of ESPN.com (via Twitter). Financial terms of Simpson’s new deal aren’t yet known, but it’s a two-year contract, per a team release.

Simpson, 29, was suspended for the first three games of the 2014 season after he was arrested for a DUI, and was subsequently released by the Vikings before he became eligible to return to the field. Simpson has been arrested three times since 2012, and the fact that the 49ers are willing to bring him on board shows that the club isn’t inclined to shy away from players with off-field red flags following the release of Ray McDonald.

On the field, Simpson had his best seasons in 2011 and 2013, posting nearly identical numbers for the Bengals in ’11 (50 receptions, 725 yards, four touchdowns) to the ones he put up for Minnesota in ’13 (48 receptions, 726 yards, one TD).

The 49ers are expected to significantly overhaul their receiving corps this offseason, with Michael Crabtree and Brandon Lloyd heading to the open market and Stevie Johnson a likely cap casualty. Adding Simpson almost certainly won’t be the last move the team makes to address the group this month.

NFC FA Rumors: Cole, Hardy, McDonald, Hawk

March 5th, 2015 at 12:46pm CST by Luke Adams

The Eagles officially announced on Wednesday that they’ve released Trent Cole from his contract, and the veteran edge defender didn’t waste much time in scheduling his first free agent visit. According to Adam Caplan of ESPN.com (via Twitter), Cole is meeting with the Buccaneers, a team that runs a 4-3 system. Having played in the Eagles’ 3-4 scheme for the last two years, Cole is viewed as a better fit as a defensive end for a 4-3 club, and Tampa Bay is certainly in need of an outside pass rusher.

As we wait to see if anything comes of Cole’s visit with the Bucs, let’s check in on a few more free agent updates from around the NFC….

NFL spokesman Greg Aiello says there’s nothing stopping a player on the exempt list from signing a new contract, which is good news for Panthers defensive Greg Hardy (link via ESPN.com). The league has yet to announce its decision on whether or not Hardy will face discipline for alleged off-field conduct, which could diminish enthusiasm for the defensive end on the open market, but he’ll still be able to negotiate with teams and accept an offer next week.
In other legal news, agent Tom Condon has informed teams that the Santa Clara District Attorney won’t be pursuing charges against free agent defensive lineman Ray McDonald, per Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (Twitter links). According to Condon, the Santa Clara DA hasn’t fully completed the release, but McDonald’s counsel has been informed of the decision. Since McDonald was cut by the Niners in December, he’s eligible to sign a new contract anytime.
Linebacker A.J. Hawk may not be totally out of the picture in Green Bay, according to Bob McGinn and Tyler Dunne of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, who report that the Packers left the door open for the linebacker’s possible return.
In addition to hosting Ted Ginn Jr. for a visit this week, the 49ers also met with former Vikings wideout Jerome Simpson, writes Matt Maiocco of CSNBayArea.com. Simpson, who was suspended at the start of the 2014 season, was cut by Minnesota and hasn’t appeared in a regular season game since 2013. The Niners, meanwhile, are on the lookout for receivers, since they could part ways with Michael Crabtree, Brandon Lloyd, and Stevie Johnson this month.
Appearing on SportsCenter today, cornerback Byron Maxwell suggested he would like to sign with a team that plays a Cover 3 scheme like the Seahawks do, tweets Nick Underhill of the New Orleans Advocate. Of course, if a team running another coverage scheme makes Maxwell a big offer, I would guess he’d be willing to compromise that stance.
Lions offensive lineman Garrett Reynolds is expected to test the free agent market next week, tweets Adam Caplan of ESPN.com.

NFC Notes: Jordan, Vikings, Buccaneers

September 19th, 2014 at 10:34pm CST by Rob DiRe

Dolphins’ defensive end Dion Jordan has been reinstated and suspended again, due to a separate failed drug test. The team is still supporting Jordan, although there was a report that they shopped the former first-round pick this offseason, in order to gauge his trade value.

One team that inquired as to Jordan’s availability was the Eagles, and Jordan’s former college coach Chip Kelly. The Eagles were interested in acquiring Jordan via trade, and called up the Dolphins’ front office shortly after Dennis Hickey accepted the job of general manager, reports Armando Salguero of the Miami Herald.

The Dolphins had no interest in trading Jordan at that time, but Salguero wonders if the recent suspensions have created a missed opportunity for Hickey to get out from a bad investment.

Here are some other notes from around the NFC:

After losing Adrian Peterson to the Commissioner’s exemption list, and releasing Jerome Simpson, the Vikings have two open roster spots to fill, reports Chris Tomasson of the Pioneer Press. The team is considering bringing back fullback Zach Line back to the active roster from the practice squad. The team will most likely not fill that spot in time for their matchup against the Saints this weekend, but will look into it sometime next week.
After the embarrassing Thursday Night Football loss to the Falcons, which put the Buccaneers at 0-3, Jason Fitzgerald of OverTheCap.com examined how the team has constructed its roster over the past few years. The team has spent a lot of money in free agency in recent years, and although a few of those signings have failed to work out, Fitzgerald argues that the timing of their spending sprees were misguided, noting that it is better to draft a young core and add to it. The Buccaneers tried to buy their young core and skip the first step.
In order to loosen up his team in the days leading up to the week three battle against the Texans, head coach Tom Coughlin is allowing the Giants‘ players to play music during warmups, writes George Willis of the New York Post. The music was suggested by the player’s leadership council.

Vikings Release Jerome Simpson

September 18th, 2014 at 5:58pm CST by Zachary Links

The Vikings announced (via Twitter) that they have released wide receiver Jerome Simpson. Simpson was slated to return in Week 4 after the completion of his suspension, but Minnesota wasn’t interested in welcoming the veteran back.

Simpson was suspended for the first three games of the 2014 season after he was arrested for a DUI in November of last year and he apparently still has more legal trouble ahead of him. It was reported earlier today that Simpson has a November arraignment scheduled for misdemeanor charges of marijuana possession, driving with an open bottle, and violating limited license restrictions, related to a July incident in Minnesota.

The 28-year-old set a career high last season for receiving yards and was two catches shy of his best season ever in that category, but his off-the-field troubles hurt his negotiating leverage and his checkbook this offseason. Ultimately, he saw his salary chopped from $2.1MM in 2013 to $1MM in 2014 and he said in June that he was surprised by that.

“I can’t lie. I was definitely surprised that I get paid less than what I got last year,” Simpson said. “I had my best numbers. But I guess when you got that negative thing on you, they kind of got you behind the eight-ball.“

The 28-year-old hauled in 48 catches for 726 yards and one touchdown in 2013. While the Vikings can’t afford to lose offensive talent from a football perspective in the wake of the Adrian Peterson situation, they also couldn’t afford another public relations hit given the events of the past week. Also, as far as their receivers go, they can still lean heavily on the likes of wide receiver Cordarrelle Patterson and tight end Kyle Rudolph.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

NFC Notes: Bucs, Sproles, Simpson, Lions

September 18th, 2014 at 12:51pm CST by Luke Adams

One of the NFL’s biggest spenders in the offseason, the Buccaneers made a significant splash in free agency, adding Josh McCown, Anthony Collins, Michael Johnson, Alterraun Verner, and others. So far, that spending spree hasn’t had much of an impact on the field, as the Bucs head into tonight’s game in Atlanta with an 0-2 record. As John Clayton of ESPN.com observes, that’s not unusual. In recent years, any of the teams that spend most lavishly in free agency don’t see their records improve much – or at all – the following season.

Here’s more from around the NFC, as look forward to tonight’s matchup of NFC South squads:

Redskins head coach Jay Gruden confirmed this week that his team had some interest in acquiring Darren Sproles when the Saints shopped him earlier this year, adding that Washington was disappointed to see the versatile back land with a division rival (link via Rich Tandler of CSNWashington.com). “It didn’t work out for us, and when you find out it’s not going to work out with us, you dang sure want him to go to the AFC somewhere,” Gruden said. “But unfortunately he went to Philly.”
Vikings wideout Jerome Simpson is on track to return from suspension next week, but he’s dealing with additional legal issues, writes Ben Goessling of ESPN.com. Simpson has a November arraignment scheduled for misdemeanor charges of marijuana possession, driving with an open bottle and violating limited license restrictions, related to a July incident in Bloomington, Minnesota.
As Kyle Meinke of MLive.com explains, the Lions could have opted to sign Champ Bailey or another notable free agent defensive back, but added cornerback Danny Gorrer instead for two reasons — he’s familiar with the team’s scheme, and he’s versatile enough to play both inside and outside.
When the Packers elected to lock up Sam Shields to a $39MM contract during the offseason, games like this week’s contest against Calvin Johnson and the Lions were the ones the club had in mind, writes Tyler Dunne of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.