Report: Preliminary hearing for Auburn WR Malcolm Simmons moved up after domestic assault charge

According to Pete Rauterkus of AL.com, the preliminary hearing for Auburn wide receiver Malcolm Simmons has been moved up. After originally being scheduled for Aug. 13, it will now take place five days earlier. Simmons was arrested back in mid-July on a domestic assault charge.

“The preliminary court hearing for Auburn wide receiver Malcolm Simmons has been moved up five days, according to court documents obtained by AL.com,” Rauterkus said. “It was initially scheduled for Aug. 13, but is now set for Aug. 8 at 9 a.m. It comes after Simmons was arrested on July 16 on a charge of domestic assault with strangulation or suffocation.”

Simmons is entering his second season at Auburn after putting together an impressive first go-round as a true freshman. Playing in 12 games, Simmons caught 40 passes for 451 yards and three touchdowns. He finished as the third-leading receiver for the Tigers on the year.

Now, the expectation is for Simmons to be an even bigger piece in the offense. Auburn is set to be home to one of college football’s top wide receiver rooms. Alongside Simmons is fellow second-year player Cam Coleman and the highly-touted Eric Singleton out of the NCAA transfer portal. Opposing defenses will have to pick their poison.

Quarterback Jackson Arnold is going to have plenty of weapons around him. In a year where Auburn needs to put together a few wins, the program’s biggest asset is likely wide receiver.

But before fully focusing on football, there is an off-the-field situation for Simmons to deal with. Aug. 8 will be an important morning for him as the preliminary hearing will take place. A few more steps will follow after as the legal process plays out.

Hugh Freeze provides latest on on-field status of Malcolm Simmons

As Auburn gets set for the start of fall camp, it will reportedly do so with receiver Malcolm Simmons available. Simmons was arrested and charged with domestic assault with strangulation or suffocation on July 16.

Head coach Hugh Freeze addressed Simmons’ status on Wednesday morning. Justin Ferguson of The Auburn Observer reported the latest.

“Based on the information that I’ve been given by campus administrators…” Freeze said, “he’s been cleared to participate in team activities.”

Details on Malcolm Simmons’ arrest have been scant so far. He was initially released on $20,000 bond. According to Adam Cole of the Montgomery Advertiser, Alabama state law states the charge of domestic violence by strangulation or suffocation is a Class B felony. A defendant facing such a charge could be handed a prison sentence between two and 20 years, including a fine of up to $30,000 upon conviction.

On3’s Thomas Goldkamp contributed to this report