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Quarterback Vinny Testaverde was listed as questionable for the Panthers' game today against the Saints after he showed up for practice Saturday with a stiff back.

If Testaverde can't play, David Carr would likely start against New Orleans (4-6) four days after coach John Fox said the 44-year-old Testaverde gave Carolina (4-6) a better chance to win.

Testaverde appeared to have recovered from a strained right Achilles tendon that forced him to miss a game and leave another at halftime. Testaverde started the previous two games and practiced all week.

A team official said Testaverde was not injured at practice on Friday, but awoke Saturday with back pain.

Fox said Wednesday that Testaverde would start ahead of Carr, who has recovered from two concussions and a back injury.

Carr, signed to a two-year, $6 million deal in the offseason, has struggled to find receivers downfield and has been sacked 12 times. He has thrown three touchdown passes, three interceptions and has left two games with injuries.

Carr had replaced Jake Delhomme, who was lost to a season-ending right elbow injury in Week 3. Undrafted rookie Matt Moore has also played briefly in four games.

DOLPHINS: Linebacker Derrick Pope missed practice Saturday after being hospitalized for undisclosed reasons.

Coach Cam Cameron said the team was "gathering information" but he did not know why Pope was in the hospital. The Dolphins did not immediately disclose the name of the hospital.

Pope's status for Monday night's game against the Pittsburgh Steelers was unclear. He has started at outside linebacker for the past five games.

If Pope can't start, he most likely will be replaced by Donnie Spragan, Cameron said.

EAGLES: Quarterback Donovan McNabb will miss today's game against New England because of a sprained ankle and injured thumb. The thumb on his throwing hand early against Miami last Sunday, and he left after an ankle injury in the second quarter. He has not practiced all week.

A.J. Feeley, who led the Eagles to a pair of touchdowns in a 17-7 victory over the Dolphins, gets the start for underdog Philadelphia.

McNabb has started every game since returning ahead of schedule after a torn knee ligament ended his season early last year. Injuries ended his regular season three times in the past six years. The Eagles are 13-8 without him, including 1-1 in the playoffs.