Giants’ Simms Likely to Start Against Rams

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. —  Phil Simms is still the New York Giants No. 1 quarterback, and Coach Bill Parcells is 99% sure that Simms will be back on the job this weekend against the Rams.

“If he (Simms) can go he’ll be the starter,” Parcells said Monday as the Giants began preparations for the Rams at Scottsdale Community College.

Simms has been sidelined almost two full games after suffering a sprained right ankle on the Giants’ sixth offensive play a week ago Monday against the Minnesota Vikings. Last Sunday he stood on the sidelines and watched Jeff Hostetler lead the Giants to a 20-13 victory over the Phoenix Cardinals.

Simms said that he could have played in an emergency but that he knew his ankle was nowhere close to being 100%.

“I tried to get ready,” Simms said. “It’s getting better, but it just takes time. Sometimes when something is hurt, it doesn’t heal overnight no matter what you do. Cosmetically, it keeps on getting better. But you’re not ready. We’ll just have to wait and see.”

Parcells said Simms should be ready to resume practice Wednesday.