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Delhomme Opts For Last Resort: Elbow Surgery

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A Tribune wire report

Published: October 9, 2007

Updated: 10/09/2007 12:33 am

CHARLOTTE, N.C. - Jake Delhomme last week called surgery on his strained right elbow 'a last resort.'

After experiencing pain trying to throw on Monday, the Carolina Panthers quarterback decided the worst-case scenario couldn't be avoided.

Delhomme will have season-ending ligament-replacement surgery on his elbow next week, leaving the Panthers without their leader on offense and scrambling to find another quarterback.

'Anytime you lose your starting quarterback it's a blow,' Coach John Fox said.

Fox said Delhomme is expected to recover in time for the start of next season.

The Panthers are left in a precarious position, as Delhomme's backup, David Carr, is also banged up.

Carr, signed in the offseason after being a five-year starter in Houston, sustained a back injury against the Saints and his status for Sunday's game at Arizona is uncertain.

The only other QB on the roster is undrafted rookie Matt Moore, who completed a 43-yard pass against the Saints while briefly subbing for Carr in the first half. Quinton Porter was signed two weeks ago to the practice squad.

Green's Latest Injury Could End His Career
Miami Dolphins quarterback Trent Green was knocked unconscious with a grade-three concussion - the most severe - and he'll undergo further tests on the career-threatening injury to determine his future.

Green has been ruled out of Sunday's game at Cleveland. Coach Cam Cameron declined to discuss the possibility that the injury will prompt the 37-year-old Green to retire.

'I don't think we really know the full extent, because there are some ongoing tests,' Cameron said. 'Right now I just think there are too many unknowns.'

Green was sidelined for more than half of last season for the Kansas City Chiefs after sustaining a concussion in the opener.

He was hurt again Sunday after handing off to Ted Ginn Jr. The rookie fumbled, then picked the ball up and reversed field as the defense chased him.

Texans defensive tackle Travis Johnson hit Green in the head with his knee before Ginn was tackled. After the play, Johnson stood over Green and taunted him, drawing a 15-yard penalty. He later angrily accused the quarterback of intentionally blocking him at the knees.

'It was a malicious hit. It was uncalled for,' Johnson said. 'He's like the scarecrow. He wants to get courage while I wasn't looking, and hit me in my knee instead of trying to hit me in my head.

BROWNS: Running back Jamal Lewis was awaiting MRI results on his sprained right foot, an injury that knocked him out after one play in Sunday's loss to the New England Patriots.

BRONCOS: Center Tom Nalen tore his right biceps muscle and will be out for the season. Denver also lost tight end Nate Jackson for the season with a torn groin.

CARDINALS: Matt Leinart's broken collarbone has the quarterback sidelined indefinitely.

Leinart fractured his left collarbone while getting sacked late in the first half of Sunday's 34-31 victory over the St. Louis Rams.

'We don't know how long it's going to be,' Cardinals coach Ken Whisenhunt said. 'But it's going to be for an extended period of time.'

CHIEFS: Quarterback Damon Huard is awaiting test results on his bruised shoulder that will determine if he can play this week against Cincinnati. If Huard is out, backup Brodie Croyle will start.

Huard was hurt late in the fourth quarter Sunday of a 17-7 loss to Jacksonville. Croyle replaced Huard and directed a last-minute scoring drive, completing a 13-yard touchdown pass on the final play from scrimmage

SEAHAWKS: Longtime Seattle fullback Mack Strong has a neck injury that will end his career.

Seahawks coach Mike Holmgren said Strong woke up Sunday feeling tingling in his hands. After getting hit hard twice early in Sunday's loss to Pittsburgh, Strong felt his hand and arm going numb, Holmgren said.

An examination determined he has a pinched nerve in his neck. It won't require surgery, but Strong told reporters at Seahawks headquarters that it will end his career.

The two-time Pro Bowler turned 36 this month, and has spent 15 seasons with the Seahawks.

Holmgren also said wide receiver and former Super Bowl MVP Deion Branch will miss two games because of a foot sprain.

SUSPENSION: NFL commissioner Roger Goodell said he will consider whether to reduce Dallas Cowboys defensive tackle Tank Johnson's suspension from eight to six games.

'He has been doing some very positive things about changing his life and making better decisions going forward.'

Johnson, who signed a two-year contract with the Cowboys last month, is serving an eight-game NFL suspension for violating probation on a gun charge, one of several run-ins with the law that led the Chicago Bears to release him in June.

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