Testaverde, 43, finds new life with Panthers

CHARLOTTE, N.C. - Vinny Testaverde won the Heisman Trophy the same year his new Carolina teammate Dwayne Jarrett was born. He was the No. 1 overall pick by the Bucs eight years before the Panthers entered the NFL.

He has thrown more passes than have been thrown in Carolina's history.

Yet the soon-to-be 44-year-old Testaverde - the man nicknamed "Dad" by his new teammates - could start Sunday for the banged-up Panthers at Arizona.

"I'm just surprised that people are still interested in a 44-year-old quarterback that hasn't played in five or six weeks," Testaverde said Wednesday. "It's like starting as a rookie, that excited, nervous, ready-to-go feeling."

The Panthers hope Testaverde will be ready after a five-day crash course. With Jake Delhomme set for season-ending elbow surgery and David Carr missing practice with a back injury, Testaverde could be Carolina's best option.

Joining his sixth franchise, Testaverde has played in 226 games with 208 starts. The No. 1 overall pick out of Miami in the 1987 draft was cut by New England before this season.

"He brings experience," general manager Marty Hurney said. "He throws the ball extremely well."

The Panthers still hope Carr will be able to practice late in the week and play Sunday. "I felt like my grandpa Monday. I felt like my dad today. Hopefully I'll feel like my 7-year-old son by Sunday," Carr said.

Testaverde, playing in his 21st season, ranks sixth in NFL history with 6,529 pass attempts, 3,693 completions and 45,281 yards passing.

No fine for taunt; Green encouraged

HOUSTON - The Texans' Travis Johnson will not be fined by NFL director of football operations Gene Washington for taunting Trent Green after the Miami quarterback suffered a concussion trying to block him, the Houston Chronicle reported on its Web site.

Johnson was flagged for a penalty after standing over the motionless Green and pointing, drawing the ire of many Dolphins players. In his postgame comments, Johnson ripped Green for what he thought was a cheap shot, a low block at his knee.

"The player was upset about what he thought was an illegal block. Gene did not believe he deserved to be fined," Greg Aiello, the league's senior vice president of public relations, told the Chronicle.

In other developments, Green flew to Kansas City, Mo., for medical consultations and was optimistic about recovering from his second severe concussion in 13 months.

"He went through some tests this morning, and he told me that it's very encouraging," Dolphins coach Cam Cameron said.

More tests and a consultation with a neurosurgeon were planned for Green, 37, who suffered a Grade III concussion, the most severe.

Rookie John Beck becomes the backup to Cleo Lemon, who will make his second NFL start Sunday at Cleveland.

Briggs a happy Bear

LAKE FOREST, Ill. - Linebacker Lance Briggs, who said in the offseason he'd never play another down for the Bears, now apparently says he wouldn't mind sticking around.

Briggs ended his media boycott Wednesday because the league intervened, and he reversed course after blasting management for labeling him a franchise player and threatened a holdout. He finally accepted the franchise tender offer of $7.2-million just before camp.

"I'd love to be here," Briggs said. "I've always wanted to be here, regardless of what I've said."

Bengals: Right tackle Willie Anderson will be sidelined Sunday against Kansas City, ending his streak of 116 consecutive starts. Anderson hasn't missed a game since 1999, putting together the sixth-longest streak in franchise history and the longest by an offensive lineman. Anderson has been bothered by chronic pain in his right foot. Pro Bowl receiver Chad Johnson, who wore a boot last week as he recovered from a mild left ankle sprain, participated in practice.

Chiefs: Damon Huard's injured shoulder held up in practice, so he will be the starting quarterback Sunday against Cincinnati. Huard was hurt last week against Jacksonville, and there had been reports he would be benched in favor of Brodie Croyle.

Falcons: Right tackle Todd Weiner had knee surgery that will keep him out for at least two weeks. The team will have two new starting tackles Monday against the Giants, including undrafted rookie Renardo Foster. The other new starter will be Tyson Clabo, who also entered the league as an undrafted free agent.

Patriots: Tight end Marcellus Rivers was re-signed and linebacker Chad Brown was released.

Rams: Return man Dante Hall (left ankle sprain) is day to day, so Brandon Williams, cut last month by the 49ers, was signed.

Ravens: Cornerback Samari Rolle practiced and expects to return to the starting lineup Sunday after a three-game absence. The former FSU standout has been out since Sept. 20 with an illness that required a brief hospital stay. He declined to discuss specifics of his condition.

Seahawks: Pro Bowl fullback Mack Strong was put on injured reserve and veteran Fred McCrary was signed. Strong, 36 and in his 15th season, has said he will retire after learning that a herniated disk in his neck is pinching his spinal cord. McCrary will back up Leonard Weaver.

[Last modified October 10, 2007, 23:42:47]