Chris Simms recalls time the Panthers almost killed him . . . literally

Kris Jenkins Jr., son of Carolina Panthers great Kris Jenkins, has a pretty big namesake to live up to. Just ask Chris Simms, who nearly fell victim to the former defensive lineman . . . in a very, very serious way.

The ex-quarterback and Pro Football Talk editor-in-chief Mike Florio just chopped it up with Jenkins Jr. on their set from this year’s scouting combine. When talking about Kris’ father, Simms recalled the time when the Panthers almost killed him:

“Kris Jenkins’ dad almost killed Chris” pic.twitter.com/UQplasWY2q

— Chris Simms (@CSimmsQB) February 28, 2024

That game took place in Week 3 of the 2006 season, where Simms played through what he initially believed to be a rib injury. Turns out, he sustained a ruptured spleen and was bleeding internally.

The then-26-year-old passer, who ended up losing nine pints of blood, would be taken to a nearby hospital after the game to undergo an emergency splenectomy. Simms, realizing he was “close to death,” said doctors brought his wife into the operating room to say goodbye in case he wouldn’t make it.

Luckily, Simms made enough of a recovery to get back onto an NFL field. He returned two years later in relief for the Tennessee Titans in Week 17 of the 2008 campaign.