The Carolina Panthers breathed a sigh of relief Friday.

According to public relations director Charlie Dayton, all medical tests on backup quarterback Matt Moore were negative, meaning the official diagnosis remains a deep shin contusion (bruise). Dayton said Moore will be listed as day-to-day.

The Panthers had the day off after Thursday night's 19-16 preseason loss to Pittsburgh, a game in which they rested all of their starters rather than risk injury.

It's unclear if Moore will be ready for the season opener against San Diego a week from Sunday, but at least the Panthers aren't forced into another year of musical quarterbacks, looking to sign the next best guy or bringing in some 44-year old off the street.

Although Moore's injury is not serious, it likely assures the Panthers will keep Brett Basanez on the active roster just in case. That might be a good idea, especially with the possibility Moore might be too sore to practice much in the next eight days.

Moore left Saturday night’s game late in the third quarter with a left leg injury and did not return. Moore was attempting to throw downfield when Pittsburgh Steelers safety Antony Smith came charging in and hit him on his lower left leg.

Some teammates immediately questioned the hit after the game, wondering if it might have been dirty.

"When you see it, the guy came untouched," said starting quarterback Jake Delhomme. "I don't know if he tripped to go below the waist, but it sort of looked like it. We'll have to see on film... Matt's a young kid who's worked hard and that's the sad part of the game we play. Hopefully everything will be alright."

Moore said he didn’t know if the hit was dirty because the play happened so fast.

"I know I fell awkwardly and didn't feel anything until I got to the ground and I knew something was wrong," Moore said after the game while leaning on a crutch.

Moore won over Carolina fans last year by leading the Panthers to wins in two of their final three games.

However, he’s struggled throughout the preseason.

He led 28 drives, none of those resulting in touchdowns. Of those, 17 ended in punts or turnovers on downs, seven in field goals and four in turnovers. He finished the preseason completing 35 of 65 passes for 389 yards with three interceptions -- one of which was returned for a touchdown -- for a paltry quarterback rating of 52.6.