AP: McNabb injured in Eagles' 38-10 rout of Panthers

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http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5jY5OksLUadXZ7GR3yYKDx24TNWOwD9AMLI580

By MIKE CRANSTON (AP)

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Donovan McNabb limped to the locker room with a cracked rib. Jake Delhomme was booed off the field.

The veteran quarterbacks had rough games for different reasons Sunday, putting both franchises in flux after the Philadelphia Eagles routed the Carolina Panthers 38-10.

A dominant performance by the Eagles thanks to Delhomme's five turnovers was tempered by concerns about McNabb, who cracked a single rib when he was crunched by several defenders on his 3-yard touchdown run in the third quarter.

With the suspended Michael Vick watching from a luxury suite, Kevin Kolb finished the game at quarterback as the Eagles ran out the clock on a miserable day for the Panthers.

Playing his first meaningful game since committing six turnovers against Arizona in the playoffs, Delhomme was nearly as bad. With the boos increasing before he was finally replaced in the third quarter, Delhomme was 7 of 17 for 73 yards with four interceptions and a lost fumble.

Then, backup Josh McCown was carted to the locker room with a left knee injury, leaving third-stringer Matt Moore to inherit a big deficit. Fittingly, he threw his own interception, one of seven Carolina turnovers.

Victor Abiamiri picked up Delhomme's fumble, caused by Trent Cole's sack, and plunged 2 yards for the go-ahead touchdown on the first play of the second quarter. Moments later, DeSean Jackson returned a punt 85 yards for a touchdown — the second longest in franchise history.

Delhomme collapsed under the weight of relentless pressure from the Eagles, who were playing their first game since the death of longtime defensive coordinator Jim Johnson. Sheldon Brown had two of the interceptions and Akeem Jordan and Asante Samuel each had one on consecutive Delhomme throws in the third quarter.

McNabb, who finished 10 of 18 for 79 yards with touchdown passes to Brent Celek and Brian Westbrook, rumbled for a TD after the Jordan pick for the game's final score.

He was on the ground for several minutes after a hard hit by several would-be tacklers. Vick, wearing a suit and watching from Eagles owner Jeffrey Lurie's suite, looked concerned as McNabb got up, slapped a high-five with tight end Brent Celek and walked to the bench.

McNabb was limping a few minutes later when he walked to the locker room. McNabb last year started all 16 games for the first time since 2003.

With Vick not eligible to return until Week 3 from penalties related to his dogfighting conviction, the Eagles could have uncertainty at quarterback next week against New Orleans.

Fresh off receiving a five-year, $42.5 million deal in the offseason that includes $20 million in guaranteed money, Delhomme and the Panthers may have bigger worries.

Delhomme, who has 11 turnovers in two games, got the Panthers off to a 7-0 lead after DeAngelo Williams' shifty 11-yard on the opening drive.

Delhomme's follies would soon start.

Brown's first big play, picking off a deflected pass thrown behind Steve Smith, led to a field goal, and it only got worse from there.

Williams, held to 37 yards on 14 carries, was stopped short of the goal line on fourth down in the final minute. Philadelphia's defense, wearing a decal on the helmets in memory of Johnson, ran off the field in celebration.

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WTF was brittle butt thinking when he ran for the score? Weren't the Eagles in control of that game?

Dear lordie, I knew he'd get hurt this year, but I didn't think it'd be on a meaningless play in the first game of the year.

The QB controversy should be fun.

[WALEOVECHKIN]

Delhomme played like it was the playoffs today. At least he was consistent!

[Spartacus87]

McNabb with the cracked rib- terrible news for my fantasy team.

Delhomme, in the last two games he's played in, has 2 TDs with 9 INTS and 2 lost fumbles. That's unbelievably bad for a "starting" QB. And with John Fox already kind of on the hot seat, they actually gave Delhomme an extension? What?

[jcjbigblue]

McNabb with the cracked rib- terrible news for my fantasy team.

Delhomme, in the last two games he's played in, has 2 TDs with 9 INTS and 2 lost fumbles. That's unbelievably bad for a "starting" QB. And with John Fox already kind of on the hot seat, they actually gave Delhomme an extension? What?

Delhomme has gotten progressively worse since 2004. That and the fact he is 34 doesn't help much either. This will prolly be his last season with the Panthers if he doesn't get benched before that.

[HeHateMe]

McNabb out for a week. Bad time to go out with New Orleans coming to town. Couldve been a real shoot out. I'm thinking the over next week regardless of Philly's QB.

I'm hearing they may bring back Feely or Garcia.

[Westbrook36]

If I were Fat Andy, I'd hold him out until after the week 4 bye. Next week is probably a toss up; the Saints put up 45 points against the Lions but they gave up 4 TDs. Lean on the running game heavily and let AJ start a week. After that, they should beat the Chiefs at home no matter who they have under center.

2-1 or 3-0 at the bye would be good and he'd have the full 4 weeks to rest up; I'm hearing this is a 1-4 week injury based off of pain tolerance. McNabb gets nicked a lot but you can't doubt his pain tolerance; this is the guy who threw 4 tds with a broken leg.

However, all in all, I'm really happy with the Eagles. The biggest questions were asked, at least partially, today. The defense had 7 turnovers, 5 sacks, and allowed 180 yards. Winston Justice looked really good as did the rest of the offensive line. Peters had 2 early false starts but the guy can really run block. Man, he really gets in front of a play. Westbrook looked as good as I have ever seen him; McCoy looked great as well.

Finally, after the entire offseason of talk, we look at the standings and everything is right in the NFC East. The Skins are looking up at everyone else.

[Bubble Screen]

Delhomme has gotten progressively worse since 2004. That and the fact he is 34 doesn't help much either. This will prolly be his last season with the Panthers if he doesn't get benched before that.

His age is irrelevant. Favre and Warner are both approaching 40. If you can play you can play. After that playoff game, they never should have given the guy a two year deal. I don't know that a QB can play worse than he's played the last two games. It will be interesting to see how long Fox stays with him.

[dreamshatterer]

If I were Fat Andy, I'd hold him out until after the week 4 bye. Next week is probably a toss up; the Saints put up 45 points against the Lions but they gave up 4 TDs. Lean on the running game heavily and let AJ start a week. After that, they should beat the Chiefs at home no matter who they have under center.

2-1 or 3-0 at the bye would be good and he'd have the full 4 weeks to rest up; I'm hearing this is a 1-4 week injury based off of pain tolerance. McNabb gets nicked a lot but you can't doubt his pain tolerance; this is the guy who threw 4 tds with a broken leg.

However, all in all, I'm really happy with the Eagles. The biggest questions were asked, at least partially, today. The defense had 7 turnovers, 5 sacks, and allowed 180 yards. Winston Justice looked really good as did the rest of the offensive line. Peters had 2 early false starts but the guy can really run block. Man, he really gets in front of a play. Westbrook looked as good as I have ever seen him; McCoy looked great as well.

Finally, after the entire offseason of talk, we look at the standings and everything is right in the NFC East. The Skins are looking up at everyone else.

Did they re-sign AJ already???

[OWUeagleMD]

They'll have to re-sign someone. Kolb is the only available QB on the roster for next week. I don't see why it wouldn't be Feeley. He's played with all these guys for the last month. Don't get cute, you're lucky to have your rightful third stringer (rightful backup, really) still available.

[Number5]

Good point, bring back AJ and rely on the running game and let the defense lead the way. After those crazy new blitz packages that we saw yesterday and the statement from Gaither about what to expect, I think we will see something special from the defense all season long.....

[tr1]

Good point, bring back AJ and rely on the running game and let the defense lead the way. After those crazy new blitz packages that we saw yesterday and the statement from Gaither about what to expect, I think we will see something special from the defense all season long.....

Do you think Andy would crap on Kolb like that?

He's tight with his family, you know.

[pointyfootball]

Do you think Andy would crap on Kolb like that

No, he won't.

This will be KK's one and only chance. He's got to at least do better than Stafford did yesterday.

I sure hope he doesn't ride BW down hard now that McNabb's hurt. That'd be all we need.

[OWUeagleMD]

Do you think Andy would crap on Kolb like that?

He's tight with his family, you know.

Definitely not. Kolb is the starter this week (despite clearly being a worse player than Feeley).

But if McNabb can't go then you still need to bring Feeley to the dance. You can't go into a game with one QB who has a propensity to hold the ball too long in the pocket with Desean Jackson as the only option in the case of injury.