Associated Press
The NFL notebook …
CHARLOTTE ó Prosecutors have dropped a misdemeanor assault charge against Carolina Panthers linebacker Jon Beason because of a lack of evidence.
Mecklenburg Assistant District Attorney Bruce Lillie said Friday that no witnesses in a Charlotte strip club last month saw Beason throw a punch.
Beason was arrested after 29-year-old Gregory Frye told a judge the linebacker hit him in the face at a Charlotte strip club on Nov. 16. Frye sued Beason for more than $10,000 in damages a day later.
Lillie says the only evidence against Beason was Frye’s statement.
The Panthers let Beason continue to play, and the team says it’s pleased the charge was dropped.
Beason’s attorney George Laughrun says the linebacker is glad prosecutors restored his good name.
MOORE TO START
CHARLOTTEó Matt Moore will make his second straight start for the Carolina Panthers on Sunday at New England after Jake Delhomme was declared out for the game.
Delhomme missed his third straight day of practice Friday with a broken right finger and Panthers coach John Fox said it’s still difficult for the 11-year veteran to grip the football.
“He’s day-to-day and right now he’s not able to do it,” Fox said. “We’ll go with our quarterbacks who are healthy enough to do it.”
Moore started his first game since 2007 last week and led the Panthers to a 16-6 win over Tampa Bay, completing 14-of-20 passes for 161 yards with one interception and no touchdowns.
Moore faces a New England team that is 6-0 at home this year and 24-3 in the month of December since 2003.
“Hey it’s all tough,” Fox said. “Matt, the advantage he has is he’s been with us for awhile now.”
REDSKINSASHBURN, Va. ó Defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth will miss his third game in four weeks with a sprained left ankle when the Washington Redskins visit the Oakland Raiders on Sunday.
Cornerback DeAngelo Hall will also be sidelined.