The Oakland Raiders can either play it safe with quarterback Carson Palmer on Sunday or make the public declaration, “Rusty or not, here he comes.”
Although Palmer missed the first six weeks of the season and participated in his first full practice Wednesday, outside voices are speculating he’ll be under center when the Raiders host the Kansas City Chiefs.
Given coach Hue Jackson’s bent for flouting convention, that’s probably the way to bet. Both coach and quarterback insist it’s not a done deal.
“I’m doing everything I can and preparing if that’s the case and we’ll see what happens,” Palmer said.
“I’ll let you know later in the week,” Jackson said. “I mean, it’s one day. I’ve got to see where his body is. I’m not in a rush.”
Practice reps were split between Palmer and Kyle Boller on Wednesday, with rookie Terrelle Pryor also in the mix, Jackson said.
“It’s all up in the air right now,” Boller said. “I’m preparing like I’m going to be the starter. If I get the nod, I’ll be ready.”
ESPN, citing a “team source,” reported Palmer is expected to be the starter. Raiders offensive coordinator Al Saunders’ interview with a Kansas City radio station was extrapolated into evidence that Palmer would start.
“Did I say that?” Jackson said. “That didn’t come from me.”
Of course, it would make little sense for Jackson to declare anything given the amount of time Palmer has been out. Should Palmer determine later in the week he’s not ready, Jackson would then have to make a clumsy switch to Boller.
Palmer threw on his own and stayed in shape in the offseason. But he concedes he hasn’t thrown much since the regular season started and it appeared the Cincinnati Bengals weren’t going to grant his trade request. He got in work Tuesday on the normal players day off and threw in a full-fledged practice Wednesday.
“It’s good to be back in it, but I definitely have some rust to wear off,” Palmer said. “I haven’t thrown to NFL receivers in a while. I haven’t thrown to guys who can run like this in team situations.”
Chiefs quarterback Matt Cassel, Palmer’s college roommate at USC, wouldn’t be surprised to see his close friend starting Sunday.
“Carson’s an experienced quarterback,” Cassel said. “He’s played in this league for nine years, and he’s played a lot of football, even in college. He has great experience. I think if anybody could do it, it would be Carson.”
Palmer drew positive reviews from at least one teammate.
“To have been sitting on a couch, that man’s looking real good,” rookie tight end Richard Gordon said.
