Jerome Simpson's NFL career took another twist with his early Saturday arrest on an alcohol-related driving charge. Simpson is the Minnesota Vikings' leader in receiving yards.
Simpson, 27, was in the Twin Cities area's Hennepin County jail on suspicion of driving while intoxicated, according to the St. Paul Pioneer Press.
The Vikings issues a statement saying they were "aware of the matter involving Jerome Simpson" and were "continuing to gather information and will have further comment at the appropriate time."
According to the Minnesota State Patrol, a trooper responded to a report of a stalled vehicle in the lane on I-394 heading west out of downtown Minneapolis. As Simpson got out of a red Dodge Charger, the trooper observed him with watery eyes and slightly slurred speech. Simpson said he was at the Pour House, a popular bar nearby, but denied that he'd been drinking.
After Simpson took field sobriety tests, according to the State Patrol report, he was arrested at 4:03 a.m. local time. Simpson was booked about an hour and a half later at the Hennepin County jail, where he refused to take a breath test.
The Vikings played Thursday, defeating the Washington Redskins. Players were given three days off from practice following Thursday's game. They next play Nov. 17, visiting the Seattle Seahawks.
Simpson is on his second one-year contract with the team after playing his first three NFL seasons in Cincinnati.
This incident is a disturbing turn for Simpson, who had legal problems before coming to the team. He was suspended the first three games of his Vikings tenure for violation of the NFL's substance abuse policy.
League spokesman Randall Liu said Saturday that Simpson's case will be reviewed.
A 2011 arrest while with the Cincinnati Bengals led to Simpson being sentenced in 2012 to 15 days in jail, 200 hours of community services and three years of probation. Police discovered more than eight pounds of marijuana at or on its way to his Kentucky residence, the Pioneer Press noted.
Reports on Saturday's arrest indicate Simpson refused a blood-alcohol breath test.
It was unclear how Saturday's arrest might affect Simpson's standing with the NFL or his probation from the marijuana case, the Minneapolis Star Tribune reported. Simpson was being held without bail, according to the publication. There is a 36-hour window on the time Simpson can be held, and reports said that doesn't include Sunday and Monday.
Simpson has yet to score a touchdown in 21 regular-season games with the Vikings. His productivity is the primary reason coaches have cited for their minimal use of first-round pick Cordarrelle Patterson.
Patterson, who had his first career scoring reception in the 34-27 victory over the Redskins, plays the same split end spot as Simpson.
INCOGNITO TO BREAK SILENCE
Dolphins offensive lineman Richie Incognito has remained quiet throughout the fiasco that led to his suspension from the team.
But he'll break the silence Sunday. Incognito sat with Fox Sports for his first interview since his involvement with a harassment case within the Miami organization was discovered, and the interview will air during FOX NFL Sunday, Jay Glazer announced on Twitter Saturday night.
The latest allegations from tackle Jonathan Martin went mostly unanswered Saturday by the Miami Dolphins, weary of fending off questions about the case that has rocked the franchise. Martin left last week and alleges he was harassed by teammates.
Martin, who's in counseling for emotional issues, will discuss the case late next week with a special investigator hired by the NFL. Allegations by the second-year pro include a malicious physical attack by a teammate.
Players have been more vocal in their support of Incognito than Martin. It's uncertain whether either will play again in the NFL.
PAY UP
DeSean Jackson used a stiff-arm to fend off an opponent in NFL Week 9. Before his next game Jackson was dragged down by the long arm of league supplemental discipline.
Jackson was ordered to pay $7,875 for grabbing the facemask of Oakland Raiders punter Marquette King, according to Pro Football Talk. The play produced a penalty that led to a loss of wages for the Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver.
King was shoving Jackson out of bounds at the time, at the end of a 32-yard return.
Jackson's primary assignment is wide receiver, and he was part of the Eagles' fat scoring output in a 49-20 victory, with five catches for 150 yards and a touchdown. Nick Foles tied an NFL record with seven TD passes in the game.
On the play in question Jackson filled in for injured returner Damaris Johnson. Jackson was playing after coming off an ankle injury.
DUPER DILEMMA
Head trauma has brought another NFL player back into the spotlight. This time it's Mark Duper, a three-time Pro Bowl performer who was diagnosed with football's growing health problem.
Duper, 54, beat kidney cancer two years ago. Earlier this month the former Miami Dolphins star had two days of testing at UCLA. Results: He has signs of chronic traumatic encephalopathy — a progressive degenerative disease of the brain found in athletes.
It was a bad week for pro football. On Wednesday, Pro Football Hall of Famers Tony Dorsett and Joe DeLamielleure and former All-Pro defensive lineman Leonard Marshall were reported to have the condition.
While CTE isn't life-threatening it does lead to dementia and depression. Dorsett recently admitted to having suicidal thoughts.
"The biggest thing is, if we can diagnose CTE, I think they're better off knowing they have it," neurosurgeon Dr. Julian Bailes told CBSSports.com. "Most of them don't die from CTE. Many die from suicide. If you can find out you have it, you can manage the symptoms. Getting a good psychiatrist and good professional care can give you insight and help you in how to treat depression."
Duper told the site he doesn't regret playing football. But while he begins a treatment regime he also hopes his plight will raise awareness of CTE and help lead to preventive measures.
Contributors: The Associated Press, Ray Slover