According to SI.com's Peter King, Bengals coach Marvin Lewis believes Carson Palmer will not need postseason elbow surgery, and it's also quite likely that Palmer will play before the end of he year.
Kings writes about Palmer in his Monday QB, "I think most everyone missed a important tidbit about Carson Palmer
last week -- most everyone but the faithful listeners to the "Opening
Drive'' on Sirius NFL Radio. Cincinnati coach Marvin Lewis believes Carson Palmer will not need postseason elbow
surgery, and it's also quite likely that Palmer will play before the
end of he year.
I've heard people say, "Why risk Palmer's future?'' And they're right
-- if there's any risk in injuring the elbow by playing, he shouldn't
play. But if there isn't, he should. The other 52 players are playing
each week, so why shouldn't their team leader play if he's healthy
enough?"
This would be good news for Palmer, but don't expect it make a huge difference for the Bengals who have issues all over the ball. There was some speculation that the team's franchise quarterback may need Tommy John surgery, so if indeed surgery is no longer necessary there won't be nearly as much of a long-term impact.
However, the Cincinnati Enquirer reports that the quarterback is still singing a different tune. Palmer, who has been ruled out for Week 13, says the ligament and tendon in his elbow are detached from the bone. He is targeting Dec. 7 to resume throwing, and how the joint responds will likely determine further action. Palmer is out for the next two weeks. The Bengals face Washington in Week 15.
Imagine that Marvin Lewis singing a different tune than the quarterback himself, just another indicator of how poorly organized the Bengals' franchise really is.
King also made mention of Bengals' wideout Chad Ocho Cinco in his column.
"It's idiocy for the Bengals to consider bringing Chad Ocho Cinco back for the 2009 season. What's the point? That the Bengals will be able to puff their chests out and say, "Chad Johnson's not going to shoot his way off this team. No one is.'' Great. So you've proven a point. You can hold onto an ineffective player, and if he goes somewhere else, he could have a Randy Moss-like season in another uniform next year. Big deal. Johnson has been repentant since the incident in Pittsburgh, but so what? There will be another one soon, either before the end of this year or during the offseason. Just move on and cut ties. It'll be better for both parties."
The two draft picks that were offered up by the Redskins seem pretty good now, the Bengals will not be as lucky the next time around.
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