Though speculation about Jake Delhomme's future with the Carolina Panthers ratcheted up after he was placed on injured reserve Thursday, the team's position on him remains the same, according to general manager Marty Hurney.
"This move doesn't change anything about his future," said Hurney. "We feel the same about Jake as we did yesterday before we put him on I.R. We've made it clear we have confidence in Jake."
Delhomme became the 11th Panthers player on injured reserve, one day after testing the broken finger on his right (throwing) hand in practice and realizing he wasn't healed enough to practice or play.
So his season was brought to a close with two games remaining - but that doesn't mean he won't return next year.