CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- After Carolina Panthers backup quarterback Matt Moore injured his left leg in the final preseason game last week, he had two X-rays and an MRI which revealed no broken bones.

Cleared to practice Wednesday, Moore attempted to push off on his leg and felt something pop. X-rays revealed a broken fibula, and Moore is out indefinitely.

"He had gone out with the trainers and felt good (Tuesday)," general manager Marty Hurney said. "But something happened at practice. Hopefully he'll be back as quick as he can."

While Hurney said Moore will not be placed on injured reserve, the Panthers did re-sign Brett Basanez to the practice squad Wednesday afternoon and released defensive end Angelo Craig. Basanez could serve as the No. 3 QB behind starter Jake Delhomme and backup Josh McCown, who was acquired from Miami a day after Moore was injured.

"Matt won't practice for a while. We're going to have three quarterbacks practice," Hurney said. "Brett knows our system and can step in at any time. That was an obvious move for us to do."

Moore went 2-1 as a starter for the Panthers last season as an undrafted rookie. But he struggled in the preseason, not leading the Panthers to a touchdown, and was expected to drop to third-string behind McCown.

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HACKETT BACK: After being sidelined nearly a month, D.J. Hackett returned to practice Wednesday. And boy, do the Panthers need him with their thinning ranks at receiver.

It was Hackett's first workout since he was carted to the locker room with a toe injury after a training-camp practice Aug. 6.

"It's better. It's good enough to be out at practice and that's what my next step was," Hackett said. "We'll see how it goes this week."

With Steve Smith beginning his two-game suspension, Ryne Robinson still sidelined with a knee injury and Jason Carter out for the season with a torn knee ligament, Hackett is one of only three available receivers.

"It was kind of a breath of fresh air to have him back on the practice field," said Muhsin Muhammad, who will start Sunday opposite Hackett or Dwayne Jarrett. "I know he's happy to get out there and run around a little bit and get some of the kinks out. He hasn't run any routes full speed since training camp. But he's a veteran guy and I think he knows how to go out and play smart and be effective."

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ROBINSON CLOSE?: Robinson wandered through the locker room Wednesday and sounded confident he'll be ready to practice and play soon.

The kickoff and punt returner has been out since July 31 when he sprained his left knee in practice.

"I feel like I can be back this week, but we'll see what kind of decision they make," Robinson said.

His absence have left the Panthers scrambling to find a returner. Mark Jones, signed on Monday, is expected to handle those duties Sunday at San Diego.

"I'm just excited to get back healthy again," Robinson said. "Everything looks good as far as I know. As to when I'll be back, you have to ask coach Fox."

Coach John Fox hasn't provided any details other to say Robinson is "week-to-week."

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CAPTAINS CHOICE: Peppers and second-year linebacker Jon Beason were voted defensive captains by their teammates. Muhammad and quarterback Jake Delhomme are the offensive captains, and kicker John Kasay was voted to lead the special teams.

Peppers got the nod for the second straight year, while Beason replaced the retired Dan Morgan.

"It means a lot," Peppers said. "It means I have the respect of the players in this locker room. It feels good to know that."

On offense, Delhomme repeated as captain, but Muhammad replaced Smith, who is suspended for the first two games for punching teammate Ken Lucas in a training-camp fight last month.

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QUICK HITS: On a conference call with reporters Wednesday, Chargers QB and ex-North Carolina State star Philip Rivers was hit with questions about his alma mater's football team after last week's 34-0 loss to South Carolina. "It has been frustrating, but that can happen anywhere," Rivers said. "That was a tough one the other night against South Carolina, but hopefully they will rebound and get it going. The season's not made in one game. ... The Panthers will fly to San Diego on Friday, so they can have an extra day to adjust to the three-hour time difference.