Brad Hoover News

The Carolina Panthers are well aware that head coach John Fox will be under a lot of scrutiny in the coming weeks - not that he hasn't been already - from fans who want him fired.

Carolina had a 7-point lead and a nice drive going in Patriots' territory before Matt Moore's third-and-3 pass to Brad Hoover was low, creating fourth-and-3 from the New England 35.

He leads them with five interceptions and routinely blankets the opponent's top receiver.

A broken finger - not coach John Fox - may bench struggling Carolina Panthers quarterback .

Captain Munnerlyn is everything you want in a football player - talented, tough-minded, aggressive and extremely dedicated.

Five turnovers later, the Buccaneers ' rookie quarterback was stunned and their miserable season took another ugly twist.

Carolina Panthers fans cheer on the team as they take on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Bank of America Stadium.

While Carolina Panthers head coach John Fox has stuck with Jake Delhomme all season despite the quarterback's struggles, an injury may finally be forcing his hand.

CHARLOTTE Jake Delhomme seems resigned to the fact that he won't play this week after breaking the middle finger on his right throwing hand.

Jake Delhomme, both starting running backs and six others have sat out practice for the banged-up Carolina Panthers.

Despite the obstacles, it was hard to ignore the hints that Carolina will have a new quarterback Sunday against Tampa Bay.

The Panthers lost to the Jets 17-6. JEFF SINER - jsiner@charlotteobserver.com Carolina Panthers coach John Fox tells his players every year around this time that the most important month of their football season just started that they will be remembered by what they do in December.

The Panthers aren't sayingmuch about how long --or even whether --quarterback Jake Delhomme will be sidelined with a broken finger on his right hand, but a similarly-described injury caused Dallas quarterback Tony Romo to miss three games last season.

CHARLOTTE Tyrell Sutton's tenure with the Carolina Panthers has been brief, but one thing is clear the game is not too big for the undrafted rookie.

The Carolina Panthers got a welcome bit of news Friday as linebacker Na'il Diggs returned to the practice field for the first time this week.

Carolina Panthers starting strongside linebacker Na'il Diggs has returned to practice and is questionable for Sunday's game against the New York Jets.

"He's done a fantastic job," quarterback Jake Delhomme said. "I don't think there's any doubt.

Both Panther running backs DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart are active against Miami despite nagging injuries.

The right hand in question wasn't wrapped in a cast Monday. The hand's owner, Julius Peppers, wasn't talking, and Carolina teammate Everette Brown flinched when asked about it.

The Panthers have activated wide receiver Charly Martin in his first game since being signed from the practice squad to fill Jordan Gross' roster spot earlier this week.