CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Carolina Panthers coach John Fox says David Carr will play if he's healthy, but may not start. Carr says he's getting healthy and expects to start.
And 43-year-old Vinny Testaverde insists he's OK as the starter or backup.
The Panthers' much-dissected quarterback situation took another twist Wednesday when Carr practiced without limitations. He said his sore back is getting better, and he expects to be on the field for the first series Sunday against Indianapolis.
"If I feel healthy, I would hope so," Carr said. "I think Vinny probably feels the same way."
But Fox wouldn't name Carr the starter Wednesday, hinting at perhaps some sort of two-man platoon. Or was it just a ploy to try to confuse the Colts?
"I'm not hiding anything. I'm just not totally sure yet," Fox said. "One guy hasn't practiced in quite some time and the other guy is fairly new. So we'll keep you posted."
The unusual situation arose after Jake Delhomme was lost for the season with a right elbow injury in Week 3.
Carr took over, then sustained what he called a compression fracture in his lower back against New Orleans on Oct. 7. After being carted off the field, he received treatment and took several painkillers before returning in the second half and leading the Panthers to a come-from-behind win.
But Carr couldn't play the following week, forcing the Panthers to sign Testaverde. After only four days of practice, he threw for 206 yards, including the go-ahead 65-yard touchdown pass to Steve Smith in the fourth quarter in a win at Arizona, becoming the oldest starting quarterback to win an NFL game.
Fox has since refused to name a starter.
"Coach just said he'll make that decision later in the week," Testaverde said. "Maybe he's made his mind up, I don't know. Either way, I always prepare as if I'm going to start the game. That's the only way I know to prepare for a game. Whether David plays or I play, I think this is team is good hands."
Carr, who joked in the locker room Wednesday that he had just had his "72nd massage in 14 days," indicated he was happy following his first full practice since the injury.
"I didn't feel great out there, but I felt better than I did last week," Carr said. "I couldn't run last week. I was moving around. I didn't feel I was limited. I was a little tight, maybe a little rusty."
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