Cardinals QB Palmer 1st to reach 4,000 yards with three teams

Dec 30, 2013, 4:01 AM | Updated: 3:37 pm

Arizona Cardinals quarterback Carson Palmer had an up-and-down 2013 season, but he reached a milestone that no one in NFL history had before — throwing for more than 4,000 yards with three different teams.

The 11-year veteran reached the mark with the Cincinnati Bengals in 2006 and 2007, and also did it with the Raiders in 2012. His 4,274 yards this season were a career high, as were his 22 interceptions and 41 sacks. The former first-round pick out of USC threw for 407 yards and two touchdowns in the Cardinals’ 23-20 loss to the San Francisco 49ers Sunday.

“Personal [milestones] are always nice, but I wasn’t thinking about it,” Palmer said. “It wasn’t one of my personal goals. I wasn’t worried about it, I was thinking about wins and losses.”

Cardinals head coach Bruce Arians said this season was a testament to Palmer’s resiliency and toughness, as he battled through ankle and elbow injuries as well as a slow start to the season.

“He’s as resilient a guy … I can’t say enough about how tough he is mentally,” Arians said. “You know something good’s going to happen eventually, because he’s gonna keep slinging it in there.”

Arizona Cardinals quarterback Brian Hoyer (6) passes as San Francisco 49ers linebacker Aldon Smith (99) applies pressure during the first quarter of an NFL football game in San Francisco, Sunday, Dec. 30, 2012. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez) San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick (7) passes against the Arizona Cardinals during the first quarter of an NFL football game in San Francisco, Sunday, Dec. 30, 2012. (AP Photo/Tony Avelar) Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Michael Floyd (15) is tackled by San Francisco 49ers safety Donte Whitner (31) and safety Dashon Goldson (38) during the first quarter of an NFL football game in San Francisco, Sunday, Dec. 30, 2012. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez) San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick (7) celebrates with wide receiver Michael Crabtree (15) after they connected on a 49-yard touchdown pass against the Arizona Cardinals during the second quarter of an NFL football game in San Francisco, Sunday, Dec. 30, 2012. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez) San Francisco 49ers tight end Delanie Walker (46) cannot catch a pass in the end zone against the Arizona Cardinals during the third quarter of an NFL football game in San Francisco, Sunday, Dec. 30, 2012. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez) San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Michael Crabtree (15) scores on a 7-yard touchdown reception from quarterback Colin Kaepernick during the third quarter of an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals in San Francisco, Sunday, Dec. 30, 2012. (AP Photo/Tony Avelar)
Arizona Cardinals running back LaRod Stephens-Howling (36), center, is tackled by San Francisco 49ers fullback Bruce Miller (49), linebacker Larry Grant (54) and safety C.J. Spillman (27) during the second quarter of an NFL football game in San Francisco, Sunday, Dec. 30, 2012. (AP Photo/Tony Avelar) San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick passes against the Arizona Cardinals during the second quarter of an NFL football game in San Francisco, Sunday, Dec. 30, 2012. (AP Photo/Tony Avelar)
San Francisco 49ers linebacker Aldon Smith (99) tackles Arizona Cardinals running back William Powell (33) during the second quarter of an NFL football game in San Francisco, Sunday, Dec. 30, 2012. (AP Photo/Tony Avelar) Arizona Cardinals cornerback Patrick Peterson (21) breaks up a pass intended for San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Randy Moss (84) during the second quarter of an NFL football game in San Francisco, Sunday, Dec. 30, 2012. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez) Arizona Cardinals head coach Ken Whisenhunt stands on the sideline during the second quarter of an NFL football game against the San Francisco 49ers in San Francisco, Sunday, Dec. 30, 2012. (AP Photo/Tony Avelar) San Francisco 49ers linebacker Patrick Willis (52) celebrates with safety Donte Whitner after tackling Arizona Cardinals running back William Powell during the third quarter of an NFL football game in San Francisco, Sunday, Dec. 30, 2012. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez) Arizona Cardinals quarterback Brian Hoyer (6) lies on the field after being sacked by San Francisco 49ers linebacker Ahmad Brooks during the third quarter of an NFL football game in San Francisco, Sunday, Dec. 30, 2012. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez) San Francisco 49ers running back Frank Gore (21) celebrates after scoring on a 2-yard touchdown run against the Arizona Cardinals during the fourth quarter of an NFL football game in San Francisco, Sunday, Dec. 30, 2012. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez) San Francisco 49ers defensive tackle Ricky Jean Francois (95) sacks Arizona Cardinals quarterback Brian Hoyer (6) during the third quarter of an NFL football game in San Francisco, Sunday, Dec. 30, 2012. (AP Photo/Tony Avelar) San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Michael Crabtree (15) celebrates with offensive tackle Joe Staley (74) after making a reception against the Arizona Cardinals during the second half of an NFL football game in San Francisco, Sunday, Dec. 30, 2012. (AP Photo/Tony Avelar) Arizona Cardinals head coach Ken Whisenhunt, right, talks with line judge John Hussey (35) during the second half of an NFL football game against the San Francisco 49ers in San Francisco, Sunday, Dec. 30, 2012. (AP Photo/Tony Avelar) Arizona Cardinals inside linebacker Daryl Washington (58) tackles San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Michael Crabtree during the second half of an NFL football game in San Francisco, Sunday, Dec. 30, 2012. (AP Photo/Tony Avelar) San Francisco 49ers running back Frank Gore (21) runs against Arizona Cardinals inside linebacker Paris Lenon (51) during the second half of an NFL football game in San Francisco, Sunday, Dec. 30, 2012. (AP Photo/Tony Avelar) Arizona Cardinals strong safety Adrian Wilson (24) sits on the bench during the fourth quarter of an NFL football game against the San Francisco 49ers in San Francisco, Sunday, Dec. 30, 2012. (AP Photo/Tony Avelar) Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Michael Floyd (15) catches a touchdown in front of San Francisco 49ers cornerback Chris Culliver (29) during the fourth quarter of an NFL football game in San Francisco, Sunday, Dec. 30, 2012. The 49ers won 27-13. (AP Photo/Tony Avelar) San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick, front right, hugs Arizona Cardinals quarterback Brian Hoyer (6) at the end of an NFL football game in San Francisco, Sunday, Dec. 30, 2012. San Francisco won won 27-13. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)

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