Matt Moore is Carolina Panthers’ likely starter Sunday
Carolina Panthers quarterback Matt Moore is likely to start Sunday’s game against Tampa Bay after practicing for a second straight day after a concussion.
Moore fully participated in Thursday’s workout after being listed as limited a day earlier. Coach John Fox says that, barring anything unforeseen, Moore will start against the Buccaneers in Carolina’s home opener.
Moore was knocked out of Sunday’s loss to the New York Giants after taking two hits late in the fourth quarter. He finished with three interceptions and a lost fumble, but Fox has said Moore will continue to start ahead of rookie Jimmy Clausen if he’s healthy.
Meanwhile, cornerback Chris Gamble was added to the injury report with an ankle injury.
Browns’ Delhomme sits out practice again
Cleveland Browns quarterback Jake Delhomme missed his second straight practice because of an injured right ankle.
Cleveland Coach Eric Mangini said Delhomme has made progress with his ankle, which he hurt while throwing an interception in the closing minutes of the first half in Sunday’s season-opening loss at Tampa Bay. Delhomme has been wearing a walking boot to stabilize his ankle.
If Delhomme is sidelined for Sunday’s home opener against Kansas City, backup Seneca Wallace will make his 15th career start. Not wanting to tip their hand, the Browns could wait until game time Sunday against the Chiefs before making a decision on Delhomme, who threw two interceptions in his debut for Cleveland. Mangini said Delhomme could start, be the backup or Cleveland’s No. 3 emergency quarterback.
“I think Jake’s made some progress,” Mangini said. “We have a couple different approaches how the game can go and we’ll just have to see which way it goes.”
Chargers’ Jackson can play in Week 5 if he is traded
The NFL and the players union have agreed that San Diego Chargers holdout wide receiver Vincent Jackson can play in Week 5 if he’s traded by Wednesday.
The agreement helps clear the way for Jackson to be traded, provided the Chargers can agree to terms with another team.
The agreement essentially rolls what could have been a six-game suspension into four games. Jackson currently is serving a three-game NFL suspension for violating the league’s substance abuse policy. Additionally, the Chargers put him on the roster exempt list, meaning he’d be suspended for three games once he signed with San Diego. Jackson’s side felt he shouldn’t have to serve that suspension if he was traded.
Sprained ankle hampers Haynesworth
Washington Redskins defensive lineman Albert Haynesworth has a sprained ankle and was unable to make it through a full practice for a second straight day. Coach Mike Shanahan said he hopes the injury isn’t too serious and that Haynesworth might be able to return Friday. Washington hosts Houston on Sunday.
49ers to retire Rice’s number
The San Francisco 49ers will retire new Hall of Famer Jerry Rice’s No. 80 jersey during their home opener Monday night against the Super Bowl champion New Orleans Saints.
Rice will be honored during halftime. He also will be inducted Saturday into the Edward J. DeBartolo Sr. 49ers Hall of Fame for his outstanding achievements and contributions to the organization.
Rice will serve as an honorary team captain before Monday’s game, when he will be presented with his Pro Football Hall of Fame ring.
Rice holds virtually every significant receiving mark, including most career receptions (1,549); yards receiving (22,895); total touchdowns (208); and combined net yards (23,546) in his career with San Francisco, Oakland and Seattle.
Chargers blacked out for first time since 2004
The San Diego Chargers say their home opener Sunday against the Jacksonville Jaguars will be blacked out on local TV because they fell more than 7,000 tickets short of reaching a sellout.
The Chargers had a streak of 48 straight sellouts, playoffs included. The last Chargers game blacked out was against New Orleans on Nov. 11, 2004.
The Chargers, Southern California’s only NFL team, say other games are in danger of being blacked out this season. They say more than 12,000 tickets remain for their next home game against Arizona on Oct. 3.
