Cincinnati Bengals leave doors open for Jerome Simpson, WR faces jail on drug charges-NFL News
Instead of punishing wide receiver, Jerome Simpson, who is on prospects of a jail term over drug charges, Cincinnati Bengals have left their doors open for his return anytime in the future.
Simpson is due to hear if he will be heading to jail or face a lesser punishment over the drug charges, filed against the player last year.
A judge is going to decide about the type and quantum of the punishment on next hearing of the case on April 05, 2012, and until then the player’s future remains uncertain.
Yet Bengals, while weighing all their options surrounding the possible outcome of the player’s case, are willing to re-sign him on a new contract after his return to the team.
The player is also on risk of facing a punishment such as suspension from the National Football League (NFL) over violation of its substance abuse rules.
However, a number of commentators believe that maximum suspension he could get from the NFL would be of four games, and it will not affect much of his professional career.
If he manages to get lesser punishment and serves the league ban, he will be back on the track with Bengals.
Bengals’ head coach, Marvin Lewis, said that the team was willing to offer him a new deal when he comes back after serving the punishment.
It is the only comment from Bengals since the player had first been reported to be found in possession of marijuana in September 2011.
Federal agents had tracked a parcel containing two pounds of the drug and addressed to the player’s home. They then searched his house and found another similar amount of the drug.
Simpson earlier denied all those charges, but following an agreement with the prosecution, he pleaded guilty to a lesser count.
The prosecution dropped the charge of drug trafficking saying that the drug was probably for personal use of the player.
Prosecution have recommended a 60-day jail term, but the player could get even lesser punishment if the judge decides so.
There is no comment from the player’s lawyer and it leaves all the possibilities open in front of him. The uncertainty he has been through since start of the case is going to be clearer next month and he can then hope for return to the game as earlier as
possible.
He might well be able to join the squad before start of the 2012 NFL regular season, from September this year. He might miss the initial few games if league decides to suspend him.
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