Posted at 1:29 p.m., Tuesday, October 9, 2007
NFL: Bucs' QB Simms' season once again over
By David Dorsey
The (Fort Myers, Fla.) News-Press
Sometime tomorrow, the Bucs will place Simms on injured reserve for the second season in a row. The 27-year-old continues recovering from surgery to remove his spleen. He has spent all of this season inactive, working late after practice on building his arm strength and recovering the timing of his throws.
The roster move allows the Bucs to sign a backup running back.
Simms suffered a ruptured spleen Sept. 24, 2006, playing against the Carolina Panthers.
With starting tailback Carnell Williams out for the season with a knee injury and backup Michael Pittman out for up to eight weeks with a badly sprained ankle, Tampa Bay needs another back.
Earnest Graham will get his first career NFL start on Sunday against the Tennessee Titans, with rookie Kenneth Darby serving as the backup.
"This what we feel is the best move for Chris to regain his full strength," Bucs general manager Bruce Allen said during a conference call today. "It's just taking longer than both Chris and we had hoped for."
Available free agent running backs include Kevan Barlow, Ciatrick Fason, Shaud Williams and Tony Fisher. Allen ruled out making a trade.
"We obviously need to find somebody else in case we do have more injuries," Allen said. "We're looking at some options of somebody who can help us this week. We'll let you classify the significance of it."
