Bucs/NFL

Simms' condition improves

By RICK STROUD
Published September 27, 2006

TAMPA - Quarterback Chris Simms was moved Tuesday from the intensive care unit at St. Joseph's Hospital to a medical recovery floor, two days after having his spleen removed.

Simms was injured in the Bucs' 26-24 loss to the Carolina Panthers.

A statement released by the family Tuesday said that Simms continues to improve and doctors expect a full recovery. He is expected to remain in the hospital for several more days.

Simms and his family thanked the medical teams from both the Bucs and St. Joseph's Hospital "for their prompt, professional care, allowing him to now focus on his recovery and rehabilitation."

"Mr. Simms and his family also want to thank the well-wishers, from throughout Tampa Bay and across America, who have expressed their loving support for him with the hope of a speedy recovery."

Cornerback Ronde Barber visited Simms on Monday and said the 26-year-old passer was taking a lot of pain medication.

"He's resting comfortably. He was in pretty bad shape," Barber said Tuesday on his weekly radio show on 620-WDAE. "He's just sore. I said, 'You're probably just as sore from surgery as you are from that game.' He got pretty beat up Sunday. Obviously, with the injury, he was only able to speak three or four words at a time. They were having him stand up and walk around (to) get some blood flowing. He's a tough kid. Obviously, our prayers are with him.

"He's going to be missed in the locker room. But Chris is a fighter."

[Last modified September 27, 2006, 02:35:37]