Bengals quarterback Carson Palmer is not likely to play the rest of the season, according to an Internet report.
ESPN.com reported Friday that Palmer suffered a “frayed” ligament in his right (throwing) elbow in the Sept. 21 loss against the New York Giants at the Meadowlands. The report, citing an unnamed source, said Palmer’s injury could be repaired by “Tommy John” surgery normally associated with baseball pitchers but that his conservative approach of resting the elbow is also an acceptable treatment given the extent of the injury.
Ryan Fitzpatrick will start Sunday’s game at Houston, his fourth start of the season in place of Palmer.
The report said that Palmer has visited five specialists on the matter and that he does not want to take another approach until he is certain he cannot play the rest of the season.
Bengals head coach Marvin Lewis told reporters after practice Friday that Palmer likely would not play in next week’s home game against Jacksonville. The Bengals have their bye week after the game against the Jaguars. Lewis chose not to speculate on Palmer’s status beyond that. Neither Palmer nor the Bengals gave a comment concerning the ESPN report, which came out later in the day.
“Whenever he gets the green light,” said Lewis when asked if Palmer would play again this season. “He wants to play. I’m glad he feels that way.”
Palmer did not play against Cleveland the week following the game against the Giants but returned and started against Dallas on Oct. 5. Palmer completed 23 of 39 passes against the Cowboys for 217 yards, two touchdowns and one interception as the Bengals 31-22. Palmer said after the game that he did not feel comfortable making all of the throws he needed to and that at times the injury affected his decision-making.
Palmer has completed just 58.1 percent of his passes (75 of 129) this season for 731 yards, three touchdowns and four interceptions. He had a streak of 51 consecutive starts snapped when Fitzpatrick started against Cleveland.