— Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Jerome Simpson has appealed a pending three-game suspension for a repeat violation of the NFL’s substance abuse policy.

Simpson confirmed Tuesday that he was absent from practice Monday to attend a hearing on his case at league headquarters in New York. Simpson said he “just told them the truth,” but he acknowledged he was unsure whether his argument would persuade the NFL to reduce or eliminate any punishment.

Simpson was arrested last November on suspicion of drunken driving when his sports car broke down on a freeway just outside of downtown Minneapolis. He pleaded guilty to careless driving and refusing to submit to a chemical test, avoiding jail time for community service and two years of probation.

Simpson served a three-game suspension to start the 2012 season.