Playing in the NFL is not without its hazards, and no one in the league knows that better than Chris Simms.

Minus his spleen, courtesy of a huge hit he took a few seasons back while playing in Tampa Bay, Simms has struggled to get back the playing time he once had, and is likely to never have the opportunity to be the franchise QB his father was 20 years ago with the Giants.

Instead he’ll settle for being a well paid backup to one of the AFC West division’s young Pro Bowl quarterbacks in Jay Cutler, signing today with the Broncos for two seasons, according to the Tennessean. Terms of the deal have not yet been disclosed.

This gives Denver a relatively reliable option to use off the bench should Cutler falter or be injured this season, although it’s no guarantee that Simms himself will stay healthy enough to play for a long stretch. The Broncos now have a two QBs with major medical issues to deal with, and should keep their doctors busy this season.