QB-needy Panthers agree to deal with Testaverde

Vinny Testaverde has agreed to terms with the Carolina Panthers, pending a physical, ESPN's Chris Mortensen is reporting.

Testaverde

The 43-year-old quarterback is expected to be on the practice field Wednesday.

He had an opportunity to sign with the Arizona Cardinals, but he chose Carolina because of the proximity to his home base on the East Coast.

Jake Delhomme, who started the season as the Panthers' starting quarterback, will have season-ending elbow surgery next week.

Delhomme's backup, David Carr -- now the starter -- is also banged-up.

Carr, signed in the offseason after being a five-year starter in Houston, sustained a back injury against the Saints and his status for Sunday's game at Arizona is uncertain.

The only other QB on the roster is undrafted rookie Matt Moore, who completed a 43-yard pass against the Saints while briefly subbing for Carr in the first half. Quinton Porter was signed two weeks ago to the practice squad.

The top overall selection in the 1987 draft, by the Bucs, the much-traveled Testaverde has played with six different franchises during his long career. He has completed 3,693 of 6,259 passes for 45,281 yards, with 270 touchdowns passes and 261 interceptions, for an efficiency rating of 75.2.

In stints with Tampa Bay (1987-92), Cleveland (1993-95), Baltimore (1996-97), the New York Jets (1998-2003, 2005), Dallas (2004) and New England (2006), he has compiled six seasons with 3,000 or more passing yards and four years with 20 or more touchdown passes.

Chris Mortensen covers the NFL for ESPN. Information from The Associated Press and ESPN.com's Len Pasquarelli was used in this report.

Source: ESPN.com