Both San Francisco 49ers linebacker Aldon Smith and Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Jerome Simpson earned suspensions from the NFL.
Smith, who was arrested in April for allegedly making a bomb threat at Los Angeles International Airport, was suspended for the first nine games of the season after violating both the league’s substance-abuse policy and the personal conduct policy.
“I apologize to my teammates, coaches, the entire 49ers organization and 49ers fans for not being able to contribute on the field for the next several weeks,” Smith said in a statement released Saturday by the NFL Players Association.
“Over the last year, I have learned a lot and I’m working hard to grow from my experiences. I want to thank my family and friends, my teammates, my union and the 49ers for supporting me during this process. I will be at work daily to participate in all permitted work activities, and to support my teammates, just as they have supported me.”
According to ESPN, Smith was given a five-game suspension for violating the personal conduct policy and a four-game suspension for the violating the substance abuse policy.
In May, Smith pleaded no contest to six separate charges, including three counts of possession of an illegal weapon and three charges stemming from a DUI arrest in September 2013. In July, he was sentenced to 12 days in jail.
Smith will be eligible to return to the active roster after the 49ers on Nov. 10 following the Niners’ Nov. 9 game against the New Orleans Saints.
Simpson was suspended for the first three games of the season for violating the NFL’s substance abuse policy. Simpson was arrested for a DUI in November, then failed to submit to a chemical test.
A repeat offender, Simpson was previously suspended for three games for the same offense back in 2012. He is currently behind Greg Jennings and Cordarrelle Patterson on the depth chart.
Simpson will be eligible to return to the team for Minnesota’s Week 4 contest at home against the Atlanta Falcons.
