Associated Press

The NFL notebook …

CHARLOTTE — Carolina quarterback Jake Delhomme practiced again Thursday and was upgraded to probable for the Panthers’ final regular season game at New Orleans.

Delhomme has been sidelined since suffering ligament damage in his right thumb against Philadelphia on Dec. 4.

Coach John Fox said Delhomme suffered no setbacks Wednesday after his first practice in more than three weeks. He again worked with the first team Thursday, while wearing a protective glove on his throwing hand.

“He slung it around pretty good today,” Fox said.

TAMPA BAY

TAMPA, Fla. — Rather than test free agency at the end of the season, injured Tampa Bay quarterback Chris Simms is remaining with the Buccaneers.

Simms, sidelined since the third week of the season after having his spleen removed, signed a two-year contract extension and looks forward to trying to regain his starting job in 2007.

NFL TELEVISION

NEW YORK — For the first time, the NFL is allowing CBS and Fox to each televise two games this Sunday in many markets, meaning four games will be available to many viewers.

The so-called “double doubleheader” will be available in all markets except those in which the home team is playing.

They will receive a 1 p.m. EST game on both CBS and FOX, as well as a 4:15 game on both networks.

Normally, the networks alternate doubleheader weeks. The one with the doubleheader can show games at 1 and 4:15. The other network is limited to showing one game in one of those two time slots.