The Minnesota Vikings released Jerome Simpson on Thursday, hours after ESPN reported he was cited on July 7 for misdemeanor charges of marijuana possession, driving on a limited license and having an open bottle in a motor vehicle.

Simpson has a Nov. 3 arraignment scheduled in Hennepin County for the charges, which came after a traffic stop in Bloomington, Minnesota.

Simpson was not arrested but was cited for the aforementioned charges.

Simpson was already serving a three-game suspension at the start of the season.

Simpson caught 48 passes for 726 yards last season.

The San Francisco 49ers have released LaMichael James.

The 49ers granted James' request to be released on Monday, James’ agent, Jeff Sperbeck announced via Twitter. Harbaugh confirmed the team released James and will sign another player to take his spot on the 53-man roster.

“Wish LaMichael well in his career,” Harbaugh said. “Hope for a long and healthy career for LaMichael James. And appreciate his contributions to the 49ers and continue to wish him well.”

James, a second-round pick in the 2012 draft, never won a role on offense with the 49ers after three seasons at Oregon. 

This season, two rookie draft picks made James expendable.

The Baltimore Ravens have released Ray Rice.

The release comes following a video of him striking his wife Janet Palmer and knocking her unconscious leaked Monday through TMZ.

Rice was previously on a two-game suspension issued by the NFL.

The NFL also took action, saying on Twitter that commissioner "Roger Goodell has announced that based on new video evidence that became available today he has indefinitely suspended Ray Rice."

The NFL Players Association told ESPN in an email that it had no comment on the termination of Rice's contract or his indefinite suspension by the NFL.