CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) -- The Carolina Panthers placed quarterback Jake Delhomme on injured reserve Thursday with a broken finger on his throwing hand, ending his worst season as a pro.
Delhomme was hurt in a loss to the New York Jets on Nov. 29 and hasn't played or practiced since. Matt Moore has started the last three games and threw for a career-high 299 yards and three touchdowns in last Sunday's upset win over Minnesota.
The Panthers promoted quarterback Hunter Cantwell from the practice squad to take Delhomme's roster spot. A.J. Feeley is No. 2 on the depth chart.
"We thought he might be further along as far as his finger," coach John Fox said. "We kind of looked at it this week as far as gripping the ball, throwing the ball and it wasn't up to speed. We felt we needed to get another quarterback up. Hunter has been with us all year."
Despite committing six turnovers in Carolina's ugly playoff loss to Arizona in January, the Panthers gave the 34-year-old Delhomme a lucrative contract extension in the offseason. While it's a five-year deal, it's structured to be a three-year contract worth more than $25 million, with the final two years likely voided.
But after throwing 18 interceptions and just eight touchdowns in 11 games this season, Delhomme's future is uncertain. Fox didn't clear up the issue Thursday.
"I'm sure there's going to be a lot of talk, there usually is," Fox said. "But with us, all of our focus is on the New York Giants. After that week, we'll finish up with the New Orleans Saints. And we evaluate everything after that. That would be true of our whole football team."
Cantwell went undrafted out of Louisville and has spent the season on the practice squad after being cut before the start of the regular season.
Moore was limited in practice on Thursday with a sore shoulder but is expected to start Sunday against the Giants.
The Panthers were again without running backs DeAngelo Williams (ankle) and Tyrell Sutton (calf) in practice Thursday. Running back Jonathan Stewart (Achilles' tendon) practiced after sitting out Wednesday.
Cornerback Richard Marshall (ankle) was limited.
The Panthers added running back Devin Moore to take Cantwell's spot on the practice squad.
