Matt Moore To Start For Panthers On Sunday

Added on Sep 16, 2010 by Jason Kearney in

NFL

Carolina Panthers starting quarterback Matt Moore has been medically cleared and will start Sunday’s home game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Moore was knocked out of the Panthers’ season opening loss against the New York Giants and suffered a concussion. He’s not practiced this week, but has resumed preparation following his clean bill of health.

The Panthers had been planning to go with rookie Jimmy Claussen if Moore had been unable to go. The former Notre Dame standout is currently the #2 QB on the depth chart ahead of another talented rookie, former Cincinnati signal caller Tony Pike. As our handicapping specialist Jack Thurman pointed out in his analysis of the game, it would have been a good situation in theory to start a rookie since Carolina is likely to run the ball a lot against Tampa Bay. This would serve to keep the game simple and give the quarterback a chance to get used to game situations.

Moore said that he’s feeling fine following the concussion.

“I feel good. That’s where we’re at. I’m planning and preparing [to start]. If something changes, so be it.”

He said that he’s already put his disastrous season opening performance behind him. Moore threw three interceptions and lost a fumble against the Giants before being knocked out of the game:

“That game is gone and we get 16 chances. We just need to make sure it doesn’t happen anymore.”

Carolina head coach John Fox confirmed that Moore is good to go, though he’s keeping his options open:

“Medically, yes. I go ‘day to day’ because my experience has been you never know with any injury, not just concussions.”

Moore took all of the snaps with the first team offense in Thursday’s practice. There have been some suggestions that Fox might give Claussen some playing time should Moore continue to struggle but based on the coach’s comments that option is not currently being considered.