Following splenectomy, the platelet count may rise to high levels in blood leading to an increased risk of clot formation.
Heparin or Coumadin could possibly counteract this. Of course, they could also lead to excessive bleeding.
They are more susceptible to certain times of infection but clotting of the blood isn't that big of an issue.
A hockey player for the Avalanche I believed had a similar injury and thought he'd be back before the end of the playoffs...
The problem is that Simms isn't just you're everyday pedestrian. His spleen is like a bag at the end of an artery. You can take the bag off and "tie" off the artery. But the area where you tie off the pedicle (stump) can be knocked loose and then you'll have tons of bleeding into his belly very quickly and then he may die. So it's advisable to wait a certain amount of time in order for scar tissue to form.
He's a tough dude and should have had a "flak" jacket on in order to minimize this possibility.... I guess when you're young you want the increased mobility and less weight.
But as many here know.... you take off your body armor.... you just might get hit there....
Nobody said life was fair... but the Bucs are scr#wed.