MINNEAPOLIS (AP) - Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Jerome Simpson has been suspended for three games for violating the NFL's substance abuse policy, his second such punishment in three seasons.

The league announced the punishment Friday, putting Simpson on the sideline until September 22 when the Vikings begin practice for Week 4.

Simpson will sit out games against St. Louis, New England and New Orleans.

Simpson traveled to NFL headquarters last week for an appeal hearing, but his effort ultimately had no effect on the ban.

Simpson was arrested last November on suspicion of drunken driving, and in January he pleaded guilty to careless driving and refusing to submit to a chemical test.

Simpson missed the first three games in 2012 following a felony drug conviction.

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