Matt Simms

EUGENE, Ore. – A University of Oregon football player charged with assault for what police said was a retaliatory attack for the beating that put another Duck in the hospital a week earlier has been dismissed from the team.

"University of Oregon sophomore defensive-end Matt Simms has been dismissed from the school’s football team for a violation of team rules, according to an announcement Wednesday by head football coach Chip Kelly," the athletic department said in a press release.

"The Carmel Valley, Calif., walk-on appeared in two games in his three seasons at Oregon, accumulating no statistics in limited action last fall against California and Washington State," the release concluded in its entirety.

Simms was arrested on suspicion of assault last weekend after what police say was a retaliatory attack for a beating that put another football player in the hospital a week earlier.

The incident happened early Saturday morning at 16th Avenue and Mill Street, near campus.

Police spokeswoman Melinda Kletzok said Simms thought the victim was involved in an altercation a week prior, where UO football player Rob Beard was kicked in the face and seriously injured.

Simms was arrested on misdemeanor assault charges and was ordered to appear in Eugene municipal court.