Iron-Head

: Aug. 3, 2006, 10:38 AM ET
Saints LB Simmons retires due to injury, family issuesBy Len Pasquarelli
ESPN.com


The mystery of the missing linebacker has been solved.


Veteran Anthony Simmons, who failed to report to the New Orleans Saints training camp and was considered AWOL, has in reality retired.


A spokesman for the agency which represents the seven-year veteran said that Simmons had family issues that required his attention and that the wrist injury which kept him out of the league the entire 2005 season had flared up again. Those two elements made Simmons, who was projected to go to camp as a starter in the revamped New Orleans defense, reconsider his comeback attempt.


Saints officials had been somewhat vague about Simmons' status. The team announced that his absence was not excused and placed him on the reserve/did not report list. But the spokesman for Premier Sports said Simmons has informed Saints officials of his intention to retire and has filed the pertinent paperwork with the league office.


Simmons, 30, was released by the Seattle Seahawks, the only franchise for which he had played, last spring after an injury-shortened 2004 season in which he appeared in only seven games and registered a career-low 41 tackles. He underwent wrist surgery last spring but, despite several tryouts with other franchises, did not sign a contract.


The Saints worked out Simmons this spring, liked what they saw, and signed him. Simmons performed well enough during minicamps and organized team activities sessions to be projected as a starter. But it now appears he has exited the game for good.


A first-round choice of the Seahawks in the 1998 draft, Simmons, a former Clemson star, was regarded at one point as one of the NFL's best all-around outside linebackers. In 87 appearances, Simmons registered 590 tackles, 10 sacks, nine interceptions, 17 passes defensed, seven forced fumbles and one recovery.



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