Dealing Cards: Carson Palmer the player to Carson Palmer the coach

TEMPE, Ariz. – Less than a week after surgery, Arizona Cardinals quarterback Carson Palmer was back on the practice field. Of course, he didn’t practice. Though, he most certainly wanted to. Even dressed as if he was going to.

“He was out there and had to stop him from throwing to the receivers because it was illegal,” head coach Bruce Arians said, smiling.

It is unlikely, given the eight-to-10 week timetable following surgery on his left arm, that Palmer will play again this season.

The Cardinals placed Palmer on injured reserve, so even if he wanted to return, the earliest would be Week 16 against the New York Giants, the second-to-last game of the season. And depending on the Cardinals’ record at the time and their spot in the NFC playoff picture, it may not make much sense to bring him back.

Palmer, though, can still have an impact on the team. It just might not be in uniform.

“He was right there behind center, taking every rep, doing his footwork and talking to the guys. He’s like having another coach,” Arians said Wednesday.

Prior to this week that had been the role of Drew Stanton. As the backup quarterback, it was Stanton who would help Palmer break down the opposing team’s defense, taking diligent notes, and help with that week’s gameplan.

Now, the roles are reversed.

“It’s kind of hard for him because he’s used to (being) the one trying to absorb everything and now he’s trying to give information out,” said Stanton, who will make his first start of the season this week at San Francisco. “He’s doing a great job. He’s, I think, come up to me probably four or five times. ‘Hey, what can I do to help? What can I do to help? Do you need me to watch something? Do you need me to do this, do you need me to do that?’ It’s great to have that side of it.

“We’ve talked about some ways that he can help me. I’ll constantly be picking his brain and trying to find ways that I can implement that to be successful.”

Jimmy Garoppolo one snap away from playing

It is sounding more and more like the only way the Cardinals face Jimmy Garoppolo this week is if rookie quarterback C.J. Beathard gets hurt.

Listed as the backup on the 49ers unofficial depth chart, Garoppolo, acquired Monday from New England, will have only had three practices under his belt with his new team ahead of Sunday’s game, so the chances of him playing are more injury-related than anything else, according to head coach Kyle Shanahan.

“We only have two quarterbacks on our roster right now, so there’s definitely a chance. I’m trying my hardest not to allow that to happen right now, but I can’t control all of that,” he said on a conference call with Arizona media Wednesday. “We have to prepare him to play. I know he won’t be able to learn everything; no one could in three practices. We’re definitely going to have to give him a package, that if he’s called upon, he has a chance to go in and a chance to help the team.”

The 2018 QB draft class

Finding a quarterback of the future through the draft is the preferred way. It’s also an inexact science. Teams are likely to miss more times than hit.

The 49ers chose to take their swing at a franchise quarterback via a trade, parting with a 2018 second-round pick, which is expected to be in the low 30s. That decision, according to Shanahan, was not a reflection on the upcoming draft class.

“My whole thing was when you have an opportunity to get a guy who has a chance to be your quarterback…that’s something you don’t hesitate on,” he said. “We don’t know who is going to be in the draft. We don’t know where we’re going to draft. We don’t know what’s going to be available, but what I knew two days ago is that Jimmy Garoppolo was available for a second-round pick, and that’s something that excites us.”

Andre Ellington practices

As expected, running back Andre Ellington returned to practice on Wednesday. He was a limited participant in the two-hour, full-pad session due to a quadriceps injury. Wide receivers Brittan Golden (groin) and Chad Williams (back) were also limited.

Linebacker Karlos Dansby (finger/hamstring) and defensive lineman Frostee Rucker (knee/hip) did not practice, though Arians indicated their absence was a scheduled veteran day off.

The 49ers’ injury report listed nine players as not practicing, including four starters: right guard Brandon Fusco (biceps), wide receiver Pierre Garcon (neck), left tackle Joe Staley (eye) and defensive end Solomon Thomas (knee).

Also not on the practice field were defensive end Elvis Dumervil (not injury related), tackle Garry Gilliam (knee), defensive tackle D.J. Jones (knee), defensive end Aaron Lynch (calf) and cornerback K’Waun Williams (quadriceps).

Running back Matt Breida (knee) and linebacker Reuben Foster (ribs) were both listed as limited.

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