Simms sits self due to hip strain

By STEPHEN F. HOLDER, Times Staff Writer
Published August 31, 2007

TAMPA - The final audition came and went, and quarterback Chris Simms' only participation was tossing a ball around in pregame warmups.

But it wasn't a slight by the coaching staff.

Simms said he strained his hip in practice Tuesday, didn't feel comfortable playing and decided to sit.

"It's not bad. It's not anything that's going to hold me out for a long time," he said. "But as far as playing tonight, if I had to run for a first down or anything like that, I don't think I could have done it. I was just practicing and doing a little rehab and just got it. But I'll be okay. I guess you could say my luck hasn't been real high lately."

Asked after the game about Simms' status, coach Jon Gruden immediately grew irritated.

"I'm not going to say nothing about it," he said. "You have to ask Chris. I have no idea what this is or what occurred. He scratched himself from the game, and general manager Bruce Allen and the trainers and Chris Simms can answer those questions.

"I'm tired of talking about the injuries. I'm very disappointed he didn't get a chance to play tonight because he's a great kid and he has a lot of promise."

Will he get to show that promise for Tampa Bay?

Final cuts come Saturday afternoon, and the Bucs have four quarterbacks on the roster. Simms is joined by starter Jeff Garcia and backups Luke McCown and Bruce Gradkowski. It appears a final decision regarding Simms has not been made, but the fifth-year player out of Texas said he did not want to be placed on injured reserve and thought he could return to form soon. Simms, 26, has struggled to recover from a splenectomy last fall.

Right now, he's ready for anything.

"The National Football League is a business right now," he said. "I do realize that. I grew up in the environment (with father Phil Simms), so I know what it's all about. Loyalty is not used a whole lot in this day and age of football because it's (about) what have you done for me lately? And I realize that."

But Simms hopes to get the chance because, he says, he is close to getting back to himself and might be ready for the season opener next week.

"If I continue to work and do the rehab and stuff that I've been doing, we've got a pretty good hold on this thing right now, and I'm doing the right exercises," he said. "I've really felt a difference the last few weeks. I'm hoping that, if they're going to keep me here, which I hope, at Seattle I would be ready to go if they needed me."

Stephen F. Holder can be reached at sholder@sptimes.com or (813) 226-3377.

[Last modified August 31, 2007, 01:53:42]