CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) Veteran defensive end Mike Rucker spent more than a month contemplating his Football future and has decided he's not ready for retirement. The soon-to-be-33-year-old says he plans to return to the Carolina Panthers next season, if the club will have him. Rucker becomes an unrestricted free agent at the end of the month.

He says he has yet to talk to coach John Fox and general manager Marty Hurney about his decision to return.

Rucker ranks second in team history with 553 tackles and 55 and a-half sacks.

(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.) APNP 02-04-08 1059CST | save this article / add to your favorites list