The NFL fined Carolina defensive end Al Wallace $7,500 Friday for his fourth-quarter hit on Tampa Bay quarterback Chris Simms. Wallace was fined for unnecessary roughness on the play. He hit Simms shortly after he threw a pass and landed on top of him. Wallace claimed he didn't know Simms had released the ball.

Tampa Bay quarterback Chris Simms was moved from St. Joseph's Hospital's intensive care unit to a medical recovery floor, two days after having his spleen removed. Simms was injured during the 26-24 loss to the Carolina Panthers. Doctors expect a full recovery. "He is expected to stay in the hospital for several more days, allowing him needed rest while his recovery continues to be closely monitored," the statement said.

Bucs general manager Bruce Allen could delay signing someone until later in the week in hopes of trading for Raiders third-stringer Marques Tuiasosopo. Allen and Jon Gruden drafted Tuiasosopo in the second round while with the Raiders in 2001.

Buccaneers quarterback Chris Simms may play again this season after surgery to remove his ruptured spleen, coach Jon Gruden said on Monday. Simms, 26, was injured during Sunday's game against the Panthers. He was taken to a Tampa hospital after the game for emergency surgery. "He's going to be just fine. There is a chance he can come back and play this season," Gruden told a news conference. "He is a tough guy. He wants to play this week."

Jay Fiedler was with the Bucs during training camp, but his surgically repaired throwing shoulder was not sound, and was released, but he could be re-signed due to the injury to Chris Simms.

Buccaneers quarterback Chris Simms had his spleen removed at a Tampa, Fla., hospital after rupturing it in Sunday's 26-24 loss to Carolina, ESPN's Chris Mortensen reports. According to a source close to Simms' family, the quarterback's condition has been stabilized after surgery, during which he received blood transfusions. It is thought the injury occurred in the second quarter. Simms took several hard hits and left the game for two plays in the second half but returned to help the Bucs take the lead in the fourth quarter. Simms also has bruised ribs. He is being treated at St. Joseph's Hospital.

It seems like everyone has some advice these days for the winless Tampa Bay Buccaneers and struggling quarterback Chris Simms. Even President Bush tossed the football with the former University of Texas quarterback Thursday, and offered some advice. "Never give up," Bush said Thursday when asked what he told the Bucs during a half-hour visit to the team's training facility near Raymond James Stadium, where the president delivered a fundraising speech to about 400 people in a VIP club area.

Jon Gruden waited until the day before the season opener to release wide receiver David Boston. The Buccaneers on Saturday waived Boston and promoted offensive lineman Scott Jackson from the practice squad to the active roster. Boston was signed by the Bucs on May 24 and survived the final cutdown to 53 players earlier in the week. But he didn't make it to Sunday's season opener against Baltimore.

Wide receiver Charles Rogers had a workout Wednesday with Tampa Bay. When asked earlier this week, Saban didn't rule out the possibility of scheduling a workout with Rogers, who was waived by Detroit last weekend.