The 49ers released Simpson on Saturday, the team's official site reports.

EDGE Analysis

The 49ers have started the process of whittling down the roster from 90 to 75 players by Tuesday's deadline, jettisoning Simpson and fellow wideout DiAndre Campbell among others. Simpson experienced decreased usage as the preseason proceeded, following up five catches combined in the first two games with no stat line to speak of in Friday's exhibition against the Packers. The 30-year-old may have reached the end of his NFL life, but with 150 career catches to his name, another team may come calling in the coming weeks.

Simpson led all San Francisco wideouts with three caches (five targets) for 29 yards Sunday.

EDGE Analysis

While that stat line won't impress anyone, the catches and targets led all 49er receivers on a day where the passing game struggled as a whole. Simpson is currently competing for a starting job come Week 1 and his performance in the final three preseason games could heavily influence that decision.

Simpson stood out with a 40-yard touchdown during Monday's practice and head coach Chip Kelly didn't rule him out as an option in a "wide open" competition for receiver roles, according to Cam Inman of the Mercury News.

EDGE Analysis

Simpson had a strong showing during Monday's practice, catching a 40-yard touchdown from Blaine Gabbert. With many younger options in house, it was thought that Simpson would move down the depth chart or even miss the cut once the season begins. Kelly disputed this though, confirming that Simpson has been a player to watch early in camp and that San Francisco's competition for starting wideout roles are very open. Simpson has flashed ability over his seven-year career with off-the-field issues being his biggest flaw. If he were to win either the No. 2 or slot position out of training camp, he would see an immediate bump in value.

Simpson (finger) is active for Sunday's game versus the Bengals, John Dickinson of 95.7 The Game San Francisco reports.

EDGE Analysis

Entering the 49ers' list of ailing Friday with a finger injury, Simpson will nonetheless be available to offensive coordinator Geep Chryst. However, Simpson has earned only 66 offensive snaps across four games this season.

Simpson caught two of his four targets for 20 yards and a touchdown against Cleveland on Sunday.

EDGE Analysis

Simpson's score came on a garbage-time touchdown late in the fourth quarter, so this performance should be taken with a grain of salt. He remains the fourth or fifth option on this less-than-stellar San Francisco offense, rendering him useless in most formats.

Simpson was targeted three times, but failed to record a catch in Sunday's win over the Falcons.

EDGE Analysis

Simpson had a game to forget, dropping two catchable passes - one of which turned into an interception - and finishing with no receptions. Understandably, he was visibly frustrated with himself on the sideline. Quinton Patton may have leaped ahead of him on the depth chart with his strong play Sunday, but if Anquan Boldin (hamstring) returns after the bye week, then neither Simpson or Patton will have much fantasy appeal.

Simpson caught three passes off of 10 targets for 34 yards in Sunday's loss to the 49ers.

EDGE Analysis

Despite his modest numbers in his season debut, Simpson led the team in targets and receiving yards on Sunday, an illustration of the 49ers' woeful offense. Simpson should be considered a low-reward pickup as his numbers came with Colin Kaepernick's favorite target, Anquan Boldin, sidelined. Even if he were to challenge Boldin as Kaepernick's favorite outside target, he'd have the distinction of being a favorite outside target on a team burrowing near the bottom of the league in passing offense.

Simpson (suspension) was reinstated to the active roster Friday, ESPN.com's Adam Caplan reports.

EDGE Analysis

The 49ers were granted a one-game roster exemption for Simpson, giving the team until Friday to decide if it wanted to release him or keep him. Although there's still some chance the 49ers could cut him, Simpson is back on the roster for the time being, after serving a six-game suspension to start the season. He'll be no higher than third or fourth on the depth chart, playing in a terrible offense.

The 49ers did not activate Simpson -- who served a six-game suspension to start the season -- to their 53-man roster in advance of Thursday night's game against the Seahawks, CSN Bay Area reports.

EDGE Analysis

Per the report, the 49ers were granted a one-game roster exemption for Simpson, giving the team the option of waiting until next Friday to make a decision on whether or not to add Simpson to their roster, or release him.

Simpson signed a two-year contract with the 49ers on Thursday. Arguably known for his legal issues more so than his play on the field, Simpson was released by the Vikings in September while serving a three-game suspension to open the 2014 season. The suspension was for a November 2013 DUI arrest, and his release was prompted by a July arrest for violating a limited driver's license, marijuana possession and open bottle. It's unclear whether the 29-year-old wide receiver will receive further discipline from the NFL, but either way, he'll likely have to compete for a roster spot in training camp.