Carson Palmer Still Sidelined With Injury

NFL News - August 24th, 2009 - Written by Jimmy

The 2009 NFL season seems to be starting out just as the 2008 season ended for Carson Palmer, on the injury list. As where last year Palmer was down with a bad elbow, this time, it is Palmer's ankle that is giving him trouble. Classified as a moderate ankle sprain, Palmer has been missing team practices and preseason games.

The Bengals' struggles always come when Palmer is injured, and they must have him in order to improve upon last years' 4-11-1 mark. With Palmer missing practice on Sunday, adjusting to the game will be that much more difficult. Head Coach Marvin Lewis doesn't seem to worried though. "If last week had been a regular-season game, he probably would have played," coach Marvin Lewis said. Lewis also went on to say that the team was being cautious because it was only the preseason. Lewis re-iterated that the team's goal is to have Palmer back to 100% before week 1 against the Denver Broncos.

When Palmer is healthy, he's good. Throughout his career, Palmer has amassed over 15,000 yards passing, at an average of 240 yards per game. During that span, Palmer completed over 63% of passes while compiling a total of 107 touchdown passes. These numbers have combined to make Palmer a 2 two time AFC Pro Bowl Quarterback. Palmer's last healthy season, 2007, saw Palmer throw for over an average of 258 yards per game. While 2007 was his highest average year, it was also the most interceptions he'd thrown at 20. The previous two seasons, Palmer had a combined 25 interceptions.

So far this year, Palmer has played in just one preseason game against the New Orleans Saints, a game in which the Bengals lost 17 to 7. During that game, Palmer saw limited reps but did manage to go 7 for 11 for 133 yards, and 1 interception, until injuring his ankle during a play, late in the first quarter. Palmer then missed the second preseason game against the Patriots, and looks highly doubtful for Thursday against the Rams. Though Palmer won't likely play, Marvin Lewis hasn't ruled Palmer out of practice the rest of the week. "I was encouraged yesterday by things he was able to do," Lewis said. Since injuring the ankle Palmer has only been able to toss the ball lightly on the sidelines.

Look for the Bengals to take the field against the St. Louis Rams on Thursday night at 7:30p. The game will be a great chance for starters to stretch their legs, as the 3rd game of the preseason is always a huge warm up for the regular season. Even though Palmer won't be playing, it will be a chance to see the 6th rated offense of the 2009 NFL preseason.

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