Maybe Derek Anderson should have stayed home with the family and gotten some sleep.
And maybe the Panthers would have been better off if he had.
The Panthers quarterback stayed in Charlotte last night to witness the birth of his daughter, flew to Pittsburgh this morning because they only had one other healthy quarterback, and was promptly injured.
Anderson just went to the locker room with a trainer and the team doctor after taking a shot on his throwing hand while trying to cover an air-mailed snap.
He was checked out on the sidelines by trainers before heading in for X-rays, and won’t return to the game.
With starter Cam Newton out nursing a hairline fracture of a rib, that leaves Joe Webb as their only remaining quarterback.
It was a solid gesture of Anderson to make the trip considering Newton’s injury, but if he’s hurt, they’re going to wish they insisted he take a longer maternity leave.
UPDATE 9:17 p.m. ET: X-rays on Anderson’s hand were negative, but he won’t return.