Palmer’s injury could make Bengals’ season worse

By Neal Coolong  |   Monday, September 29, 2008  |  Comments( 4 )

Cincinnati Bengals
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With Cincinnati losing at home to Cleveland, 20-12, on Sunday, the season looks bleak already for the 0-4 Bengals.

Judging by quarterback Carson Palmer's elbow injury, it may get even worse. Mark Curnette of the Cincinnati Enquirer quoted Palmer as saying "hopefully I'll play next week (at Dallas)."

Scott Priestle of the Columbus Dispatch wrote, "Palmer said he hopes to play Sunday at Dallas, but his body language suggested less confidence. He declined to discuss the severity of the injury."

Commentary: It may not be a guaranteed disastrous season in Cincinnati yet, but it's headed in that direction. After the trip to Dallas, the Bengals are at the Jets, then they come back home to host rival Pittsburgh.

If Palmer is out for an extended period of time, Ryan Fitzpatrick, who has been with the teams since the start of the 2007 season, will continue to fill in. Backing him up is Palmer's brother, Jordan. Asking any quarterback to go on the road to beat Dallas and New York, followed by knocking off Pittsburgh for the first time in Cincinnati in six tries, will be tough. If it's Fitzpatrick or Jordan Palmer, though, this team could lose eight games or more to start its season.

The absence of Carson Palmer clearly means a weaker player under center, but it could signal a revolution on the field. Bengals coach Marvin Lewis has a tough task ahead of him, but he's really going to have to find a way to keep his team together.

Fan Pulse: Bengals fans posting on the team's Official Message Board are not particularly optimistic over its talent on offense.

Fantasy Football Impact: While nothing has been announced for certain regarding Palmer's health in Week 5, starting him, or any other Bengal, doesn't seem the best bet against a good Cowboys defense.

Injury Watch: Outside of Palmer, the team's Web site says injuries will be announced Wednesday.
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About Neal Coolong

Neal Coolong is a freelance sports writer with contributions to Scout.com, AOL and Steelers Live. He lives with his fiance in St. Paul, Minn., and saves every dime (that she knows about) for their wedding next June. He's already made the prediction that the Steelers 2007 draft class will be one ...
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