When ranking the Top 20 quarterbacks for 2009 (click here to view), Carson Palmer came in at #13. He was just outside being drafted as a starter in typical 12-team formats with injury concerns being the biggest reason why.

He was limited to just four games in 2008 thanks to an elbow injury, which he opted to rehab instead of undergoing Tommy John surgery to correct. Despite his claims that he’s recovered from the injury, the fact that there was no surgery to correct the problem has to be a concern.

If that wasn’t enough, he’s been limited to just 11 pass attempts this preseason thanks to a high-ankle sprain he suffered in the opening game. He claims he’s prepared. Coach Marvin Lewis claims he’s prepared. It really doesn’t matter what everyone says, until he steps onto the field and proves his health, there are going to be questions surrounding his ability.

I’m not talking about one game. I’m not talking about two games. It’s going to take a few weeks of good health and good play for him to convince me.

He hasn’t had time to work with the new players being worked into the offense like Laverneous Coles, something he should have had in the preseason. He hasn’t had an opportunity to work off any rust he had from such a long layoff.

Basically, he is one long list of questions without any convincing answers.

From 2005-2007 he was among the leagues best QBs, making him an ideal gamble. Anyone with 86 touchdowns and 45 interceptions with over 12,000 yards deserves that respect.

Still, the idea of rolling the dice on him over these first few weeks could be a crushing blow. Many owners are doing just that, however, thanks to his current ADP of 91.24, the twelfth QB coming off the board.

He’s going before:

Ben Roethlisberger (vs. Tennessee Week 1)

Matt Hasselbeck (vs. St. Louis Week 1)

Eli Manning (vs. Washington Week 1)

Palmer, meanwhile, takes on the Broncos. While he may ordinarily be the best option of this group, he’d probably be the last one I’d play this week. With the length of his layoff, you really can’t expect much from him this first game back.

My prediction for Week 1:

18-28, 178 yards, 1 TD, 1 Interception.

That’s an alright line, but it’s not going to win you anything. In two or three weeks, my projections for him would probably be significantly better, but you need to give him the time to adjust to the new players in the offense and the NFL game in general. It’s been way too long to expect huge things.

My suggestion would be to have him on your bench this week in one quarterback formats.

What about everyone else? What are you expecting from Palmer in Week 1? Would you use him?

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