Vikings' Jerome Simpson apologizes to team, fans

Jerome Simpson apologized to his teammates after he was arrested on suspicion of drunken driving. Simpson expects to play against the Seahawks on Sunday.

November 11, 2013 at 8:25PM
Minnesota Vikings receiver Jerome Simpson (81).
Minnesota Vikings receiver Jerome Simpson (81). (Star Tribune/The Minnesota Star Tribune)

Vikings wide receiver Jerome Simpson spoke to the media Monday following his arrest on suspicion of drunken driving Saturday morning, apologizing to his teammates and fans.

"I sincerely apologize for the attention that I have brought to the fans, community and myself," Simpson said.

Simpson couldn't speak on the situation, nor on any future disciplinary action from the NFL. The team's leader in receiving yards (491) said he spoke to the entire team on the distraction

"I've just got great support with this team, and they're going to help with whatever arises," Simpson said.

Simpson said he expects to play Sunday against the Seahawks in Seattle. He didn't give a reason when asked, and Vikings head coach Leslie Frazier wasn't certain if Simpson would suit up.

"There is a point as you're putting together the game plan you like to have some idea of a guy's availability, so we'll wrestle with that here in the next day or so, try to figure that out," Frazier said.

If Simpson doesn't play Sunday, rookie wide receiver Cordarrelle Patterson would likely start and see an increase in snaps at the "X" receiver position.

"It's not how we would have planned it, but he would have to be ready to take more snaps and contribute both on special teams as well as what we'd ask him to do on offense," Frazier said.

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