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Testaverde May Start For Panthers

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The Associated Press

Published: October 12, 2007

CHARLOTTE, N.C. - David Carr threw gingerly on the side but wasn't ready to practice. Vinny Testaverde scrambled to learn the playbook and get his 43-year-old body ready. Rookie Matt Moore just tried to keep up.

Thursday produced few answers for the Carolina Panthers as they try to figure out who will start at quarterback Sunday against Arizona.

Carr, listed as No. 1 with Jake Delhomme set to undergo season-ending elbow surgery, missed practice for a second straight day with a sore back.

'It was better today,' Carr said. 'I threw some balls and it wasn't as uncomfortable as I thought it would be.'

Carr acknowledged he didn't try to drop back or run. Instead, he watched practice wearing shorts and a T-shirt.

'It was a little tight on the release,' Carr said of his brief throwing session. 'But it should feel better today. If it does, I'll try to practice some.'

Testaverde, signed Wednesday, and the undrafted Moore, signed just more than a month ago, took all the snaps for the second straight day. Coach John Fox wouldn't say which player he'd use if Carr can't go.

But Testaverde, who turns 44 next month and was cut by New England in the preseason, would appear to be the front-runner. Entering his 21st NFL season, Testaverde has impressed his new teammates with his arm strength and how quickly he's picked up the offense.

'He's got some familiarity with the system we've run and the coaches we have here,' Fox said. 'Hopefully he's a quick study. I think he is and he's shown that ability just in the last two days.'

COWBOYS: Quarterback coach Wade Wilson is back at work after completing his five-game NFL suspension for buying and using performance-enhancing substances that he said were to try to 'improve the quality' of his life after living with diabetes for more than 20 years.

DOLPHINS: Quarterback Trent Green returned to South Florida after undergoing tests in Kansas City for a severe concussion, his second in 13 months.

Green was encouraged and feels good, Coach Cam Cameron said, but the Dolphins are awaiting additional results from specialists.

'We just need to let some time go by here,' Cameron said. 'They recommended some rest. They just all want to let the thing settle down and make sure we know what all took place.'

The 37-year-old Green was knocked unconscious Sunday with a Grade III concussion, the most severe. He's out indefinitely, and it's uncertain whether he'll play again.

FALCONS: Just as Byron Leftwich was celebrating his increased practice time with Atlanta, the quarterback left the field Thursday after twisting his right ankle.

For Leftwich, it's a painfully familiar story.

Leftwich missed 15 games with injuries the past two years with the Jaguars, including 10 games with a bad ankle.

The good news for Leftwich: The injury is not serious, and it's not the same ankle that shut down his 2006 season.

'It's OK. It's a minor sprain,' Leftwich said, adding the Falcons' medical staff 'didn't want me to do anything further to it.'

Leftwich said X-rays on the ankle were negative. 'I took the rest of today's practice off and we'll see how it feels in the morning,' he said.

Leftwich, who was released by the Jaguars late in the preseason, signed with Atlanta on Sept. 18 and made his first appearance in last week's loss to Tennessee.

Leftwich was only 2-for-8 passing for 28 yards with an interception in relief against the Titans. But it was enough that Coach Bobby Petrino said Leftwich had moved up to No. 2 on the depth chart behind starter Joey Harrington.

RAIDERS: The past two years, Derrick Burgess has been the Raiders' most productive defensive lineman. But with a lingering calf injury that began nearly a month ago, the Pro Bowl end is lucky just to get on the practice field.

He's not the only Oakland defensive lineman hurting. Gerard Warren, who leads the team with three sacks and has been a force in the middle since moving into the lineup in Week 3, hasn't practiced since sustaining a thigh injury during a team drill Oct. 4.

TITANS: Defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth did not practice Thursday, missing a second straight day with a sore ankle. Receiver Brandon Jones also missed a second straight practice. Coach Jeff Fisher said both should practice today.

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