While throwing in practice Wednesday, the Carolina Panthers' backup quarterback felt a pop in the area of his left leg that was injured six days earlier in the NFL team's exhibition finale against the Steelers at Pittsburgh.

General manager Marty Hurney said two X-rays and an MRI exam after the injury first occurred last week showed no fracture but that an X-ray after Wednesday's practice showed the break.

Based on the original test results, Hurney said he did not think Moore was allowed to return to throwing too soon.

"We thought he'd be ready," Hurney said. "Obviously, we want to get him well and then get him back."

Hurney said Moore would not be placed on injured reserve and that the status of his return was "week to week."

Moore is expected to be out four to six weeks and is wearing a walking cast.

The good news is that the fibula is not the weight-bearing part of the leg.

Moore entered training camp as the Panthers' No. 2 quarterback, but he probably fell to third on the depth chart when the team acquired veteran Josh McCown from the Miami Dolphins on Friday in exchange for a seventh-round pick.

McCown's arrival resulted in the Panthers waiving quarterback Brett Basanez, but he was re-signed to the practice squad Wednesday after Moore's re-injury.

To make room for Basanez, the Panthers released defensive end Angelo Craig.

Hurney said Basanez is "a perfect fit for us."

Basanez would have to be signed to the active roster before he could appear in games.

Moore's injury occurred late in the third period of the Panthers' 19-16 loss at Pittsburgh when Steelers safety Anthony Smith hit him low on a sack.

Moore, 24, is a promising prospect who had a 2-1 record as a starter for the Panthers last season, but he struggled during the exhibition season. He didn't lead Carolina to a touchdown in four appearances.

Moore completed 63 of his 111 passes (56.8 percent) last season for 730 yards, three touchdowns and five interceptions.

This exhibition season, he went 35-of-65 (53.8 percent) for 389 yards, no touchdowns and three interceptions.

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