NFL teams
Josh Weinfuss, ESPN Staff Writer 10y

Cards treating QB Carson Palmer

NFL, Arizona Cardinals

TEMPE, Ariz. -- The Arizona Cardinals have been researching the best ways to treat quarterback Carson Palmer's nerve injury in his right shoulder, coach Bruce Arians said Monday.

"He's got more needles sticking in him half the day than most of us in our lifetime," Arians said. "We're still researching what possibly other things we can do for him."

Palmer missed Arizona's 25-14 win against the New York Giants after a nerve in his throwing shoulder shut down when he landed on it wrong in Week 1 against the San Diego Chargers, he said.

Palmer told ESPN NFL Insider Ed Werder that the injury prevents him from properly gripping the football and also inhibits his ability to threw with normal velocity and accuracy.

There is concern that the injury could lead to long-term damage for the 34-year-old.

"I think anytime you're dealing with nerves, you're concerned," Arians said. "I saw what happened with Peyton [Manning] and how long it took with him, but his was after neck surgery. This is just a bruised nerve that's being ornery."

Palmer's status for Sunday's game against San Francisco is still undecided. Arians said he and Palmer tried to play catch before the Giants game but Palmer's shoulder wasn't firing.

Arians said Palmer could play against the Niners even if he doesn't practice this week. Palmer was limited all last week.

"If he can go, he'll go," Arians said. "This is one of those crazy things where you'll wake up one day and be fine. We don't know what day that's going to be though. That's the thing."

After Sunday's game in New York, Palmer said he's in wait-and-see mode, hoping the nerve "wakes up."

"There's no, 'It needs 48 hours, it needs six days, it needs 12 days,'" Palmer said Sunday evening. "You just don't know."

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