Colts' Simon plans to report
Defensive tackle's status with team is uncertain amid speculation of release
By Mike Chappell
What happens next is anyone's guess.
"My plans are to report on Sunday,'' Simon said in a brief telephone interview Friday.
Asked about his expectations, the defensive tackle replied, "I don't have any comment at this point. I'm just going to report and go from there.''
Simon's status with the team has been uncertain since he missed the Colts' Super Bowl season with a knee injury and an undisclosed illness, reportedly polyarthritis. The team placed him on the NFL's non-football illness/injury list in October.
The next step could involve, as many have speculated, the Colts terminating Simon's contract. Or he could rejoin the team and reinforce the defensive line rotation.
The Colts have been noncommittal regarding whether Simon figures into their 2007 plans. Team president Bill Polian was unavailable for comment Friday. Earlier in the week, he said there was "nothing to report.''
"He's still got to take a physical at some point and we'll see where we are,'' Polian said.
Though Simon is on the active roster, numerous signs have pointed to the Colts parting ways with the 30-year-old veteran they invested in so heavily before the 2005 season. Simon was not present with other inactive Colts during the week leading up to the Feb. 4 Super Bowl in Miami, and he was not invited to the Super Bowl ring ceremony in June.
Also, owner Jim Irsay has made it clear he isn't happy that he's gotten so little return on Simon's five-year, $30 million contract.
Despite playing only 14 games for the Colts, including the playoffs, Simon has been paid more than $14 million. A grievance he filed last fall seeking to recoup $1.9 million of his $2.5 million 2006 base salary that the team withheld is pending.
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Colts' Simon plans to report
Colts' Simon plans to report
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