CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Baby watch is almost over.

Barring an unexpected delay, the Carolina Panthers will have two quarterbacks available for Thursday night's preseason finale at Pittsburgh.

Backup Derek Anderson said before Tuesday's practice that his wife, if she doesn't give birth naturally before, is scheduled to be induced later in the day. If all goes well, Anderson will be in Pittsburgh in time to start for the injured Cam Newton, who is out with a hairline fracture to a rib.

"Tonight's the magic night," Anderson said.

With fourth-stringer Matt Blanchard placed on injured reserve after suffering a concussion in Friday night's loss at New England, the Panthers were down to two healthy quarterbacks in Anderson and Joe Webb.

Until Anderson knew for sure his wife would be induced, the Panthers were prepping a couple of non-quarterbacks for an emergency situation in case Anderson didn't make the trip and Webb was injured.

Meanwhile, Newton continues to work with trainer Ryan Vermillion as part of his rehab from the rib injury that occurred in the second quarter against New England.

While he still looks stiff at times, Newton is beginning to make more moves with his upper body without signs of pain. At one point while observing a quarterback drill, he reached up slightly behind his body to effortlessly snag a throw with his right hand.

There is no indication Newton won't start in the Sept. 7 opener at Tampa Bay. While he isn't practicing, he was a part of preparing for the Bucs on Sunday and Monday.

"He's with the coordinator, he's with the quarterback coach and they're talking about what we're looking at and why we're looking at it," coach Ron Rivera said on Monday. "So Cam's getting a feel for Tampa Bay right now."