Simms Should Play, White Is OUT

From Jim Wyatt of the Tennessean:

It's been more than two years since quarterback Chris Simms played in a regular-season game, but he's expected to get a chance Sunday against the Colts.

Kerry Collins will start for the Titans, and backup Vince Young will get into the game in the first half.

Eventually Young is expected to give way to Simms, whose last regular-season game, on Sept. 24, 2006, was the one in which he suffered a ruptured spleen.

"I am definitely excited to see some live action, and with the way I feel — I am healthy again — I want to go out there and be my old self,' Simms said. "Yes, it been a while.'

Simms played in the preseason for the Buccaneers, who released him in August. The Titans signed him in September, and he spent the season getting stronger on and off the practice field.

Simms, who has started 15 NFL games, all with the Bucs, took some hits in preseason games and said he's "not the slightest bit concerned" about being hit again.

"But it is always different in practice and your first time out there in live action, so that's what I am more anxious about that anything," Simms said. "I definitely feel comfortable with the offense and the surroundings. I'm looking forward to getting out there and turning it loose again.'

First chance: A lot of backups are expected to play Sunday, including running back Chris Henry.

Henry, a second-round pick last year, has been inactive for all 15 games this season. He could see extensive action against the Colts, however. LenDale White is expected to sit out after missing practice all week with an illness, and rookie Chris Johnson probably will be limited.

"I have been doing this my whole life so it is not going to take long for me to get back in the swing of things,' Henry said. "Going against our defense all season has definitely prepared me.'

Surprise gifts: Collins had surprise gifts for his offensive linemen Friday.

He had five four-wheelers delivered to Baptist Sports Park — for tackles Michael Roos and David Stewart, guards Eugene Amano and Jake Scott and center Kevin Mawae.

He showed the players their new toys after practice.

"I wasn't expecting anything, so it's an awesome gift,' Roos said. "He told us thanks for keeping him clean and for our hard work. It just shows he appreciates what we do. It was nice.'

Collins has been sacked only eight times this season.

Finnegan fined: The NFL fined cornerback Cortland Finnegan $10,000 Friday for a what the league called a "major face mask" on Steelers tight end Heath Miller last weekend.

The Titans were penalized 15 yards on the play.

Finnegan was fined $25,000 for two hits in the Dec. 14 game at Houston. He's been fined more than a dozen times this season, he said.

Injuries: Cornerback Nick Harper (groin), linebacker David Thornton (hip) and defensive end Dave Ball (back) missed practice again Friday and are listed as doubtful on the injury report.

White is listed as questionable.

Mawae (elbow), defensive end Kyle Vanden Bosch (groin) and defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth (knee) were officially declared out. Second-year pro Leroy Harris will start at center in place of Mawae.

Vickerson update: Suspended defensive tackle Kevin Vickerson will come off the NFL's suspended list Monday, when he'll be allowed to return to Baptist Sports Park.

Vickerson was suspended Dec. 5 for violating the NFL's policy on anabolic steroids and related substances.

The Titans will get a one-week roster exemption next week, when Vickerson will be allowed to practice without counting against the 53-man roster.

Contract talks: Also on Monday, the Titans will be able to restart contract negotiations with Haynesworth.

When Haynesworth signed his one-year tender prior to training camp, the Titans were prohibited from negotiating with him until the end of the regular season.

By being named to the Pro Bowl earlier this month, Haynesworth triggered a clause in his current deal that keeps the Titans from placing the franchise tag on him again.

The Titans have exclusive negotiating rights with Haynesworth until Feb. 27, when free agency begins. If the Titans don't sign him before Feb. 27, he can field offers from other teams.

Ticket reminder: Single-game tickets for the Titans' AFC divisional playoff game on Jan. 10 or 11 go on sale at 10 a.m. Tuesday.

About 3,000-4,000 tickets will be available at the LP Field box office, ticketmaster.com, Kroger stores and 615-255-9600. Prices start at $56.

Fast company: Houston's Steve Slaton (1,190) and Chicago's Matt Forte (1,188) need just 10 and 12 yards, respectively, to join Johnson (1,228) at 1,200 rushing yards. It would be the first time each member of a rookie trio has hit 1,200.

The only other times two rookies rushed for 1,200: 1983 (Eric Dickerson and Curt Warner) and 2000 (Mike Anderson and Jamal Lewis).

Adjusted number: After film review by coaches, Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger's fumble near the goal line Sunday was credited to Thornton instead of rookie defensive tackle Jason Jones. That means Jones had 3.5 sacks and two forced fumbles last week.

Super odds: BodogLife.com has the Giants (3-to-1) favored to win the Super Bowl, followed by the Steelers (4-to-1) and Titans (5-to-1).

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