His two Pro Bowl receivers think he ought to pack it in for the season.
Palmer will miss his third game because of the elbow, injured when his arm was hit as he threw a pass during a 26-23 overtime loss to the New York Giants on Sept. 21. He played against the Dallas Cowboys two weeks later, but had to back off because the injury limited his ability to make certain throws.
Ryan Fitzpatrick replaced Palmer for a 26-14 loss to the New York Jets last Sunday. Palmer stayed behind in New York after the game and got a second opinion from Dr. David Altchek, who works with the Mets. Altchek agreed with the Bengals that a cautious approach was best.
The injury involves a tendon in Palmer's elbow. The quarterback has said it could take up to two months for the injury to heal completely.
Palmer declined to talk to reporters Wednesday about the latest update.
"I think the issue with [Palmer] is a lot more serious than playing this year," receiver Chad Ocho Cinco said. "We're talking about his career in general. If it means sitting out this year or play another 20 or who knows how long he'll be able to go, I think it'd be in his best interests to sit out."
Receiver T.J. Houshmandzadeh agreed with Ocho Cinco that it would be best for the team long-term to rest Palmer for the remainder of the season.
"I would agree with that," Houshmandzadeh said. "Whether that will happen, I'm not sure. Carson wants to play; he's a veteran. But it would be the smart thing to do."
Bengals QB Palmer questionable with broken nose
Marchena Set For First Start Of The Season
Citizen Garrido Targets City Starts
Bengals’ Palmer to be examined by Mets’ doctor
