Carson Palmer improving; coach says 'there's a chance' QB plays

ByJosh Weinfuss ESPN logo

Tuesday, October 4, 2016

TEMPE, Ariz. -- Arizona Cardinals quarterback Carson Palmer attended team meetings Tuesday morning as he continued to recover from a concussion he suffered in Sunday's loss to the Los Angeles Rams, but the possibility he plays Thursday at San Francisco is still up in the air.

Cardinals coach Bruce Arians said Palmer was going through the offense mentally; the quarterback missed his second straight day of practice on Tuesday. Arians told Bay Area reporters that Palmer "looked good" after meeting with him on Tuesday morning. After practice, Arians said Palmer is still in the concussion protocol and continues to take tests.

Arians was asked if there's enough time for Palmer to get cleared through the NFL's concussion protocol in time for Thursday's game.

"I think there's a chance," Arians said.

Arians won't be the one deciding if Palmer can fly to the Bay Area on Wednesday, when the team leaves Arizona. That'll be decided by team doctors, Arians said.

But on Tuesday, the Cardinals made a move that signals a good possibility that Palmer may not play: Quarterback Zac Dysert was promoted from the practice squad to the active roster. Arians described Dysert as "very accurate" and said he picked up the offense "really quick."

The Cardinals now have three quarterbacks on their roster, with Drew Stanton as Palmer's backup.

Palmer suffered the concussion on a hit late in the fourth quarter. He made strides Sunday night, Arians said, but didn't practice Monday.

Arizona put safety Tyvon Branch and running back Chris Johnson on injured reserve Tuesday after both suffered groin injuries in Sunday's loss.

Arians said both players will undergo hernia surgery, but he wasn't sure when those procedures will take place. Arizona also waived punter Drew Butler, who has been dealing with a severely sprained ankle; Butler received an injury settlement. In corresponding moves, Arizona promoted wide receiver Brittan Golden to the active roster and re-signed running back Kerwynn Williams.