When a team has won just three games it’s not too hard to figure out that the main storylines are on anything but the field. That’s been the case with Carson Palmer and the ligaments of his right elbow. Palmer hasn’t played in a game since Oct. 5 at Dallas and only recently has he been able to return to practice.
Palmer threw on Tuesday in 7-on-7 drills as the scout team quarterback against the Bengals defense. It is his most extensive work on the field since the Dallas game. For all of the wonderment, however, there really isn’t much to tell.
“I felt good. Nothing great to report, nothing out of the ordinary,” said Palmer. “Nothing bad to report.”
Palmer was scheduled to throw again on practice Wednesday but due to the rainy conditions in Cincinnati those plans were altered. He said he threw about 30 passes, ranging in length of up to 40 yards.
The more Palmer throws, the more he believes he will not have to have elbow surgery this offseason. He is to be reevaluated by doctors after this week’s work is done. Surgery has not been completely ruled out of the equation.
“That’s something you’re going to have to ask the doctors,” said Palmer. “We’re going to evaluate it after this week and see what happens there but from what they’ve said it looks like it’s a smaller possibility, or lesser possibility than it was a month ago.”
Head coach Marvin Lewis was pleased with Palmer’s continued progress.
“I thought he did fine,” said Lewis. “He looked good. He felt a little rusty as far as footwork and things like that. It was the first time he had to react and throw into the holes and so forth like you do in a real game. He felt good about it. And it was exciting for him to do.”
Earlier this week Lewis reiterated that Palmer has been following the rehab procedures doctors have been prescribing to him since he first suffered the injury on Sept. 21 against the New York Giants at the Meadowlands.
“Carson has to be the one who has the feeling, we don’t feel for him,” said Lewis. “He has to know that he can make the throws that he normally would without issue, and that’s the thing. So far it’s (Carson’s progress) been great, and we’ll continue this way.”