Allen: health deciding factor on Rice

General manager Bruce Allen, in a just-completed news conference, said defensive end Simeon Rice failed a physical at check-in today, a development which became the impetus for the decision to release him.

Allen said he was confident Rice would play somewhere this season, and said the player told him as much. But Allen said although Rice simply needs more time to heal, a return to the Bucs after his recovery is unlikely.

Rice underwent shoulder surgery late last season and was out of action throughout the offseason.

(Times photo - Brendan Fitterer. Click to enlarge.)