A day after Carolina finished out of the playoffs for the second straight year, John Fox remained confident that he'll return as the Panthers' coach. He just won't be sure until owner Jerry Richardson says so. When asked Monday if Richardson would finally address the status of Fox and General Manager Marty Hurney, team spokesman Charlie Dayton said it was unlikely. In an e-mail later Monday, Dayton would only say that "nothing has changed" regarding Fox and Hurney. It meant a day of uncertainty at Bank of America Stadium as players gathered for final physicals and a team meeting before leaving with their belongings for the offseason. Not only do many players worry if they'll be back after a disappointing 7-9 campaign that's sure to bring many changes, they don't know about their coach. "I haven't been told anything," running back DeAngelo Williams said.

After 21 seasons, Vinny Testaverde has had enough. The 44-year-old quarterback said Saturday that he'll retire after Carolina's season finale at Tampa Bay on Sunday. "I just feel like it's time," Testaverde told The Associated Press before boarding the team bus for the airport. "Obviously at 44 it does get a little bit tougher as the weeks go by. I'm glad I'm able to do it on my own terms and walk away from the game not only healthy but to experience some of the things I've been through." Testaverde was out of the league until the Panthers, desperate for quarterback help after injuries to Jake Delhomme and David Carr, signed him on Oct. 10. Four days and only three practices later, Testaverde became the oldest starting QB to win a game when he led the Panthers to a victory at Arizona.

The Panthers on Wednesday placed defensive end Julius Peppers on injured reserve, ending his season. Peppers has not played since suffering a sprained medical collateral ligament in his right knee on December 16 against Seattle.

Tony Romo's sore thumb appeared fine and the Cowboys were driving down the field on the way to taking a 14-0 lead. Then Terrell Owens sprained his left ankle. The offense stalled, and the concern about Owens' overshadowed Dallas' 20-13 victory over the Panthers on Saturday night.

A knee injury that sidelined Keary Colbert for the past two weeks has prematurely ended his season and likely the former starting wide receiver's four-year tenure with the Carolina Panthers, as well. Colbert, 25, has been placed on injured reserve and his roster spot filled for Saturday night's game against Dallas by practice squad wide receiver Jason Carter. But because he is in the final season of his original rookie contract, Colbert is eligible for unrestricted free agency in the spring, and his return to the Panthers is unlikely. The Panthers probably will look for other options as they continue to seek a complementary wide receiver to team with Steve Smith, and they are hoping to get more from second-round pick Dwayne Jarrett who has had a disappointing rookie season. At the same time, it's believed Colbert will look for a fresh start elsewhere.

Due to a sprained right knee, Carolina Panthers' defensive end Julius Peppers is doubtful for Saturday's game against Dallas. Peppers missed his fourth straight practice Friday and likely will be replaced by Stanley McClover or rookie Charles Johnson in the lineup against the Cowboys. Peppers, who was injured in Sunday's win against Seattle, has been held to three sacks and had his streak of three straight Pro Bowl selections snapped this week. Safety Chris Harris returned to practice after missing Thursday's workout with a sore hip and is listed as probable to play against Dallas.

Vinny Testaverde missed a third straight day of practice on Friday, increasing the chances that Carolina Panthers' rookie Matt Moore could make the first regular-season start of his career Sunday against the Seattle Seahawks. Coach John Fox said he will wait until Sunday to make a decision on his starting quarterback. If Moore does start, the Panthers, losing six of their last seven games to fall to 5-8 on the year, will become the first team in the NFL this season to use four different starters. Claimed by the Panthers on waivers after he was released by the Dallas Cowboys in the final cutdown to the regular-season roster, Moore has made six appearances this season. The former Oregon State standout, who originally signed with the Cowboys as an undrafted free agent, has completed 14-of-32 passes for 166 yards, with no touchdown passes and three interceptions, for a 21.1 passer rating. Moore, 23, recently moved ahead of David Carr, who has started four games but been a major disappointment for the Panthers and into the No. 2 spot on the depth chart.

Jacksonville's defense turned in its best performance in two months. Fred Taylor topped it with the longest run in team history. Together, they helped the Jaguars move a step closer to securing an AFC playoff berth. Taylor ran for 132 yards and a touchdown; the defense looked like its old self; and the Jaguars beat the Carolina Panthers 37-6 on Sunday. Jacksonville (9-4) harassed Vinny Testaverde, stuffed DeShaun Foster and locked down Steve Smith - the defense's most complete game since consecutive wins at Denver and Kansas City early in the season.