Around the NFL: Testaverde will retire

After 21 seasons, Vinny Testaverde has had enough.

The 44-year-old quarterback said Saturday that he’ll retire after Carolina’s season finale at Tampa Bay today.

“I just feel like it’s time,” Testaverde told The Associated Press before boarding the team bus for the airport. “Obviously, at 44 it does get a little bit tougher as the weeks go by.”

Testaverde was out of the league until the Panthers, desperate for quarterback help after injuries to Jake Delhomme and David Carr, signed him on Oct. 10. Four days and only three practices later, Testaverde became the oldest starting QB to win a game when he led the Panthers to a victory at Arizona.

The 1986 Heisman Trophy winner at Miami, Testaverde was the No. 1 overall pick by Tampa Bay in the 1987 draft. He got off to rocky start, throwing 13 touchdown passes and 35 interceptions in his second season with the Bucs, his first as the full-time starter.

Testaverde weathered the criticism for three more seasons before moving to Cleveland. After the franchise moved to Baltimore, Testaverde made his first Pro Bowl in 1996.

Testaverde made the Pro Bowl two years later with the New York Jets. Late in his career he played with Dallas and New England.

Testaverde ranks sixth in the league for career attempts (6,701), completions (3,787) and yards passing (45,233).

Testaverde also holds the NFL record by throwing at least one touchdown pass in 21 straight seasons.

Around the league

Baltimore placed Todd Heap on injured reserve with a hamstring injury, ending the season for the two-time Pro Bowl tight end. … Bills safety Donte Whitner will miss Buffalo’s season finale at Philadelphia because of the flu.