Arizona Cardinals quarterback Carson Palmer told ESPN he will "definitely'' be ready to start against the Denver Broncos in Week 5 following his team's bye week.

Carson Palmer has been sidelined with a right shoulder injury. Robert Deutsch/USA TODAY Sports

"I'm fired up to be 3-0. I'll definitely be ready against Denver," he told ESPN in a text message.

Palmer, 34, says his shoulder injury, which has kept him sidelined the past two weeks, has improved and he anticipates throwing this week.

He described this as being "the biggest week of my career,'' and told ESPN he's been at the facility every day during the bye week preparing for his comeback after a two-game absence because of a nerve injury in his shoulder that prevented him from gripping a football.

"It's super important to get 100 percent before we start preparing for Week 5,'' he said. "I'm fired up to be healthy and can't wait.''

Palmer said he's been getting treatment and working to strengthen his shoulder in rehab, working on his throwing mechanics, starting with short throws and hopefully progressing steadily through the week.

He damaged a nerve in his throwing shoulder in the opener and has not been able to throw a pass in a game since. Drew Stanton, Palmer's backup, had helped the Cardinals win games over the Giants and 49ers in Palmer's absence, putting the Cardinals atop the NFC West.

Stanton, 30, has completed 32 of 62 passes (51.6 percent) for 411 yards and two touchdowns. He hasn't thrown an interception.