Carson Palmer Still Not Sure if He Can Go Against Browns Today

Just like Brett Favre, Bengals quarterback Carson Palmer showed up on the injury report earlier this week with a swollen right elbow. But unlike Favre, who will start his 257th consecutive game against the Cardinals today, Palmer won't know for sure if he can go until pregame warmups.

From ESPN's Chris Mortensen (via Rotoworld):

Mort says the injury stems from contact, despite Palmer claiming otherwise, and that the elbow is swollen. It's strange, then, that Palmer was able to practice without limitation on both Wednesday and Thursday. Mort says Palmer could be yanked early if the elbow gives him trouble, or Ryan Fitzpatrick could start the game. Palmer is a risky fantasy play, but we'd use him if he's active. Sometimes you've got to risk big to win big and the matchup against Cleveland's banged up defense is ideal.

Yeah, I suppose if Marvin Lewis has Palmer on his fantasy team he might want to leave him in the game, even it's clear that the Bengals quarterback is less than 100 percent.

On the other hand, Cincinnati is 0-3 and actually have looked worse than their record indicates. Maybe there's a sliver of hope they get hot, suddenly fix their perennially abysmal defense, and make a playoff run. It's more likely that they end up 4-12 (although, to be fair, I'm not sure where the four wins will come from), Chad Javon Ocho Cinco will have three mental breakdowns before Christmas, and Marvin Lewis will quit before Mike Brown can fire him.

It could be worse, I guess; the Bengals could be the Browns.

UPDATE: It looks like Palmer won't start -- Ryan Fitzpatrick is the guy against the Browns, and Palmer will be listed as the No. 3 quarterback behind his brother, which, I'm guessing has never happened before.