Tennessee Titans backup quarterback Chris Simms needs to add a new date to his 2010 season: an October trial in his New York City drugged-driving case.

Simms didn't make it Monday to a Manhattan court date in the case, which stems from a July 1 arrest. Police say he admitted smoking marijuana in his car; he says they misquoted him.

Lawyer Kim Richman declined to explain why Simms wasn't there, but the Titans are in the midst of training in Nashville and were set to play a preseason game against the Arizona Cardinals on Monday night.

Manhattan Criminal Court Judge Michael J. Yavinsky agreed to excuse Simms' absence, rebuffing prosecutors' request for a warrant authorizing police to arrest the gridiron scion and bring him to court. But the judge said Simms, a son of former New York Giants quarterback Phil Simms, needs to be there Oct. 7 for a hearing and trial — football obligations notwithstanding.