GLENDALE, Ariz. -- Until pregame introductions Sunday, the concept of looking ahead was put on hold for the Arizona Cardinals.
It was impossible for them to predict what the next few games would bring when nobody knew who the starting quarterback was going to be Sunday afternoon. As the reports trickled out of University of Phoenix Stadium early Sunday, it became clear that Carson Palmer, who suffered an axillary nerve contusion in his right throwing shoulder in Week 1, would finally return.
But there were still a few unknowns: How close to 100 percent was Palmer? Who would play if he re-injured the shoulder? And would Arizona alter its offense?
After Palmer threw for 250 yards and two touchdowns in a 30-20 win over the Washington Redskins, the questions were answered. But, most importantly, the Cardinals reaffirmed with Palmer -- even though he’s not yet 100 percent healthy -- they’re in good shape. In their final nine games, the Cardinals will play seven games against either playoff teams from last season or teams currently in first place in their division.
Even though Palmer would have preferred returning in Week 2, he came back at a good time. Facing Washington, which is now 1-5, gave him a chance to get re-acclimated against a team that’s struggling. Next week, against winless Oakland, Palmer will get another opportunity to work out any kinks without big-game pressure.
“Looking ahead, we have some winnable games and we have some dogfights in front of us -- some good teams we’re going to be playing, some great teams we’re going to be playing,” Palmer said. “We need everybody back and everybody firing on all cylinders.”
That includes Palmer.
Late in the fourth quarter on a third-and-2, Palmer convinced Cardinals coach Bruce Arians to let him call his own number. Palmer ran a bootleg to the right and lost three yards, forcing Arizona to punt. Yes, the man who missed three games after getting injured on a run, called a run for himself.
“That’s one way to put it,” Palmer said.
That was Palmer’s only run Sunday and it complemented his 44 pass attempts -- his third-most with the Cardinals. Palmer knew he wasn’t going to be given a watered-down version of the game plan but said he felt “good” and was “pleased” with the way he finished the game.
Arians said he didn’t decide Palmer would start until pregame. Palmer had taken about 25 percent of the snaps in Friday’s practice, throwing at about 80-90 percent. Palmer had hoped he would be named starter Friday. Arians resisted on making the decision then because he didn’t see the type of velocity he had hoped for. But during Sunday's pregame warm-ups, Arians saw the zip he wanted, and although he knew most of it was adrenaline-fueled, it was enough to give Palmer the start.
Palmer rewarded Arians’ decision by extending Arizona’s interception-free streak to a fifth game this season, adding two touchdown passes for good measure. After the game, Palmer said the shoulder was “tired but great,” and added it’s “definitely weak.”
Palmer said he didn’t feel physically limited. If he had, Arians wouldn't have started Palmer, who said he needs more reps.
“The only way to get your arm stronger, it’s not by doing bench press, it’s not by doing curls, it’s by throwing, and that’s what I need to do now,” he said.
He’s “praying” the nerve doesn’t regress overnight. That’s what happened after the San Diego game.
If Palmer wakes up Monday with a healthy right shoulder, the 4-1 Cardinals can start looking forward. Maybe even to January.
