Carson Palmer has his eye on playing again this season, which shouldn’t be a problem.

While Cardinals coach Bruce Arians said Palmer would miss eight week after surgery to repair a broken left (non-throwing) arm suffered Sunday against the Rams, our initial prognosis was that Palmer might be able to get back in just over half that time.

That prognosis is based on the belief this is an isolated ulna fracture in his forearm. That is what it appears to be by video.

Surgery for that injury involves a plate and screws being inserted, and it heals well.


A return in 4-6 weeks is absolutely possible.

Now, Palmer is reportedly hearing the same thing from doctors he consults.

I have had players at other positions return in two weeks, but a quarterback is different in that he needs to use his hands so frequently and reliably.

The key regarding Palmer’s return is when he can get out of a cast and into a splint so that ball handling would not be an issue. Typically, one could convert to a low-profile splint by four weeks and contemplate return.


The Cardinals will wait for the surgery to happen before deciding whether to put him on injured reserve, which would keep him out at least eight weeks. My guess is the team will take its chances, hoping for an earlier return and not put Palmer on IR.

Besides negating the chance for a return before Week 16, placing Palmer on IR means him and running back David Johnson would be the only two players the Cardinals could return.

It is highly likely Johnson will return before December.

It is possible the Cardinals could have a very happy Thanksgiving.


With some good fortune, they could have Palmer and Johnson back at the same time.

The issue with Johnson, who dislocated his wrist in the season opener, is also getting into a splint. He had his cast removed last week and is undoubtedly doing conditioning and strength exercises. He is now six weeks from surgery.

The Cardinals Thanksgiving weekend (Nov. 26) game would be 11 weeks from Johnson’s injury. (Our initial projection was 8-12 weeks), and Palmer would be at five weeks