Dec 28, 2006, 19:10 GMT
Charlotte, NC - Carolina Panthers quarterback Jake Delhomme practiced on Thursday and was upgraded to probable for the team's regular season finale in New Orleans.
Delhomme, who also practiced on Wednesday, has missed the Panthers' past three games with a sprained right thumb.
'He made it through (Wednesday) just fine and had no setbacks,' Panthers head coach John Fox said on Thursday. 'He slung it around pretty good (Thursday).'
The game is a must-win for Carolina, which is still in the NFL playoff hunt despite a 7-8 record. Even if the Panthers beat the Saints, they still need losses by the New York Giants (against Washington on December 30) and Green Bay (against Chicago on Sunday night) to claim the final playoff spot in the NFC.
Delhomme hurt his thumb after his hand hit a helmet on a first-quarter touchdown pass to wide receiver Steve Smith in Carolina's 27-24 loss against the Philadelphia Eagles on December 4. He stayed in the game and went 22- of-37 for 269 yards with three touchdowns and a pair of fourth-quarter interceptions.
He has completed 240-of-404 passes for 2,598 yards in 12 games overall this season, with 15 touchdowns and 11 interceptions.
Chris Weinke has struggled while filling in for Delhomme, completing just 56- of-96 passes for 625 yards in three games, throwing two touchdowns and four interceptions. He has a 67.4 passer rating.
© 2006 The Sports Network
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