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Warner, Carr in spotlight as Cardinals host Panthers

Oct 14, 2007 - 10:36 AM Carolina (3-2) at Arizona (3-2), Sunday 4:05 pm EDT

GLENDALE, Arizona (Ticker) - The Arizona Cardinals and Carolina Panthers have more in common than identical records.

The Cardinals host the Panthers on Sunday just days after both teams learned they lost their starting quarterbacks for the season.

Matt Leinart suffered a broken collarbone in Arizona's 34-31 victory over the St. Louis Rams last Sunday and was placed on the season-ending injured reserve list two days later.

Carolina, meanwhile, found out Monday that Jake Delhomme will undergo season-ending surgery on his ailing right elbow, which he injured on September 23 against the Atlanta Falcons.

One plus for both teams is they have experienced backups.

Former Super Bowl and league MVP Kurt Warner assumes the starting position for the Cardinals, who will look to start 3-0 at home for the first time since 1966.

Warner, who had spelled Leinart in the previous two games while running a no-huddle offense, finished 14-of-28 passes for 190 yards and a touchdown with an interception against the Rams.

Wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald was Warner's favorite target, hauling in nine receptions for 136 yards and a touchdown. With fellow wideout Anquan Boldin missing the past two games due to injury, Fitzgerald has stepped up with 20 catches.

Running back Edgerrin James, who leads the NFC with 442 yards, added 88 yards on 26 carries.

The Panthers will be seeking their fourth straight victory over the Cardinals behind David Carr, who has started the past two games in place of Delhomme.

The No. 1 overall pick of the Houston Texans in 2002, Carr hit a couple of key third-down passes to set up John Kasay's winning 52-yard field goal in a 16-13 victory over the New Orleans Saints last Sunday.

Carr missed almost the entire second quarter after injuring his back but returned to complete 10-of-17 passes for 119 yards with one touchdown and one interception.

"It was the worst pain I ever felt in my life," Carr said of the sack by New Orleans' Will Smith. "It was like someone was stabbing me in the back every time I threw."

Carolina's running game struggled again, with DeShaun Foster managing just 59 yards on 19 carries.