Panthers hold Testaverde out of practice; Carr likely to start

CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- David Carr is likely to start at quarterback for the Carolina Panthers at Tennessee on Sunday after Vinny Testaverde missed a third straight practice Friday with a right Achilles' tendon injury.

Coach John Fox held off naming a starter, but Carr practiced without difficulty again despite a sore back.

The 43-year-old Testaverde was not wearing a walking boot Friday that he had on earlier in the week, but he has yet to take a snap since leaving Sunday's loss to Indianapolis at halftime.

Carr suffered compression fractures in his lower back in a win over New Orleans on Oct. 7 and sat out the following week's game at Arizona. Testaverde led the Panthers to a win against the Cardinals four days after he signed with the team.

The Panthers lost original starting quarterback Jake Delhomme to a season-ending elbow injury in Week 3.