Hurting at quarterback, Panthers sign Testaverde

Vinny Testaverde isn’t finished yet, even at age 43.

The Carolina Panthers, desperate for a quarterback with Jake Delhomme out for the season and David Carr nursing a back injury, signed Testaverde to a one-year deal Wednesday.

Testaverde, now with his sixth franchise, was released by New England before the season.

“He brings experience. He throws the ball extremely well. He’s a fierce competitor. It seems like he’ll be an extremely good fit for us,” General Manager Marty Hurney said.

Testaverde will provide insurance behind Carr, who became the Panthers’ No. 1 quarterback Monday when the team announced Delhomme would have season-ending elbow surgery.

Testaverde, however, could start Sunday’s game at Arizona. Carr, injured in Carolina’s win over New Orleans, missed practice Wednesday.

Damon Huard’s injured shoulder held up fine in practice and he will be the Kansas City Chiefs’ starting quarterback Sunday against Cincinnati.

Huard was hurt last week against Jacksonville and there had been reports he would be benched this week in favor of second-year backup Brodie Croyle.

St. Louis Rams return man Dante Hall, who has a severe left ankle sprain, was all but ruled out for Sunday at Baltimore.

The injury is significant enough that the Rams signed a new return man, Brandon Williams, cut last month by San Francisco.

Baltimore cornerback Samari Rolle practiced in full gear and expects to return to the starting lineup Sunday after a three-game absence.

Rolle has been sidelined since Sept. 20 because of an illness that required a brief hospital stay. He declined to discuss specifics of his condition.

Atlanta Falcons right tackle Todd Weiner had knee surgery that will sideline him for at least two weeks. . . . Right tackle Willie Anderson (leg and foot) will be sidelined for the Cincinnati Bengals’ game Sunday in Kansas City, ending his streak of 116 consecutive starts. . . . The Tampa Bay Buccaneers signed running back Zach Crockett, 34, addressing a need for depth after losing Carnell Williams and Michael Pittman to injury the past two weeks. To make room on the roster, quarterback Chris Simms, slow to recover after missing most of last season after surgery to remove his spleen, was placed on injured reserve. . . . The New England Patriots re-signed tight end Marcellus Rivers, 28, and released linebacker Chad Brown, 36.