After being out for most of the 2008 season with elbow problems, Bengals quarterback Carson Palmer got some bad news this week.A sprained ankle Palmer suffered in New Orleans last week will likely keep him out of the lineup Thursday. The Bengals will play the Patriots in Foxborough, and it will be a golden opportunity for Palmer's backups. J.T. O'Sullivan and Jordan Palmer (Carson's younger brother) will get extra snaps in that game.
The younger Palmer is pushing O'Sullivan for the backup job. It was a gig many thought would belong to O'Sullivan, after he was signed as a free agent. He seemed to be the replacement for Ryan Fitzpatrick, who moved on to Buffalo.
Instead, O'Sullivan has struggled through the offseason to hold off Palmer. Friday's loss to the Saints may have helped O'Sullivan, as he put up far superior numbers, but he needs to continue to outperform Palmer for the rest of the preseason.
With Carson Palmer out of Thursday's game, the Bengals say O'Sullivan will start and likely play into the second quarter. Jordan Palmer will finish it from there.Bengals offensive coordinator Bob Bratkowski told the Cincinnati Enquirer that he has been impressed by both through the offseason and first part of training camp. Now, at least O'Sullivan will get the chance to work with Cincinnati's first-team offense, against New England's first-team defense. It could be make-or-break in the Bengals' backup derby.
