Green sticking with Warner for time being

Kurt Warner will remain the starting quarterback for the Arizona Cardinals, coach Dennis Green said Tuesday.

Green’s comment came in a statement released by the team following an ESPN report that Green decided that rookie Matt Leinart would replace Warner as starter for Sunday’s game at Atlanta.

“Generally talking about the starting lineup is not something we do,” Green said. “However, given the speculation that was out there we want to make it clear. We’re disappointed after last week, but we still expect to be a playoff football team and we fully expect Kurt Warner to be the quarterback that leads us. That has not changed.”

Warner threw three interceptions, two of them with Arizona inside the opponent’s 14-yard line, and fumbled a snap at the St. Louis 18 with 1:46 to go in the Cardinals’ 16-14 home loss to the Rams last Sunday.

Simms moved from ICU

Tampa Bay quarterback Chris Simms was moved from the St. Joseph’s Hospital intensive care unit to a medical recovery floor, two days after having his spleen removed.

Simms was injured during Sunday’s 26-24 loss to the Carolina Panthers. Doctors expect a full recovery.

The quarterback’s family issued a statement through the hospital, thanking well-wishers for their support and adding that Simms’ condition is improving daily.

“He is expected to stay in the hospital for several more days, allowing him needed rest while his recovery continues to be closely monitored,” the statement said.

Around the league

Chicago Bears defensive back Ricky Manning Jr. pleaded no contest to a felony assault charge stemming from an attack on a man in a restaurant. Manning was sentenced to three years probation and ordered to attend a year of anger management counseling, the district attorney’s office said. … Chargers tight end Aaron Shea was placed on injured reserve with a back injury and will miss the rest of the season. He was replaced on the active roster by safety Andre Lott, who returns after being released during the final cutdown to reach the 53-man roster limit.