Cardinals concerned for Palmer, express confidence in Drew Stanton
Oct 2, 2016, 7:45 PM | Updated: Oct 3, 2016, 11:24 am
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Drew Stanton (5) reacts after throwing an interception against the Los Angeles Rams as teammates A.Q. Shipley (53) and Evan Mathis (69) walk to the bench during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 2, 2016, in Glendale, Ariz. The Rams won 17-13. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
(AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
GLENDALE, Ariz. — In the fourth quarter of the Arizona Cardinals’ loss Sunday, quarterback Carson Palmer was sacked by Aaron Donald and Eugene Sims, and as he went to the ground the back of his helmet banged against the turf. Palmer was slow to get up, looked a bit woozy when he did and soon after jogged off the field.
“First of all, this is a game,” receiver Larry Fitzgerald said when asked what went through his mind when Palmer was hurt. “We all love to do what we do. We all know Carson and we know his family, his wife and four kids. His long-term health is most important as a teammate. That is all we care about.
“Obviously we need him; he is our best player offensively, but we want him to make sure he is OK.”
Prior to being hurt, Palmer had completed 23-of-36 passes for 288 yards with one touchdown and one interception.
The Cardinals announced Palmer was in the concussion protocol, and it’s unknown how long it will take for him to be cleared. Arians said after the game it would be tough to turn to Palmer for Thursday’s game against the 49ers if he does not get cleared until that morning, adding they are going to be very careful with this injury, anyway.
“It’s tough,” running back David Johnson said of losing Palmer. “He’s one of our leaders, our quarterback. We rally on him. It’s definitely tough to lose him. Hopefully, he comes back soon.”
If Palmer is a no-go, the offense will be turned over to backup Drew Stanton, who in relief of Palmer on Sunday completed 4-of-11 passes for 37 yards with two interceptions.
“The same as always,” Stanton said when asked how he will approach the next few days. “I think the preparation and everything will take care of itself. You get ready to play mentally and do all those things. It’s unfortunate we’re coming off of a short week, but that’s the way this league’s built.
“You have to be able to go in and especially somebody in my role. You have to be able to go in there and have success, and that didn’t happen today.”
It didn’t, though a couple years ago when Palmer was dealing with various ailments, Stanton was able to guide the Cardinals to a 5-3 record in eight starts. If he is asked to do so again, there is no shortage of belief in his ability.
“I’ve got a ton (of confidence),” Arians said. “Drew did everything he could to get us down there for that last play. He’s beaten this team before, the 49ers. Everybody has a ton of confidence in Drew.”
“Two years ago when Carson went down, Drew did a nice job of coming in and winning,” Fitzgerald said. “We have to keep playing, we have to keep fighting. If Drew is playing in San Francisco, we don’t know what the scenario is going to be, but we’re going to be prepared.”
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