The Carolina Panthers didn’t address their depth at the quarterback position in the offseason because they like Matt Moore as the backup to Jake Delhomme.

The only problem is that Matt Moore might now be lost for a while.

According to Steve Reed of CarolinaGrowl.com, Moore suffered what the team is calling a “deep shin bruise” during Thursday night’s preseason game against the Steelers.

Tests will be conducted on Friday to determine the extent of the injury.

X-rays were negative, but coach John Fox was cautious.  “The early indication is there was no broken bones, but much further than that I’m not sure yet,” Fox said.

Moore was hit by safety Anthony Smith, who struck Moore’s leg on a blitz.  But the Panthers aren’t yet calling it a dirty hit.

“When you see it, the guy came untouched,” Delhomme said.  ”I don’t know if he tripped to go below the waist, but it sort of looked like it.

Without Moore, the only backup to Delhomme is Brett Basanez.  Other quarterbacks will be available come Saturday, when the final roster cuts are made. 

And, of course, Daunte Culpepper is still available.  His arrival in Charlotte would be ironic, given that it was at the Panthers’ home stadium that Culpeppers career was forever altered when he was hit in the knee while running for a first down.