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Bengals coach Marvin Lewis declined to say Sunday whether Carson Palmer will play in Cincinnati's next preseason game, leaving the quarterback's status unclear for the season opener.
The game against Green Bay on Aug. 28 is important for Palmer, who had reconstructive knee surgery seven months ago. Lewis has long maintained that Palmer needs to play the last two preseason games to be ready for the season opener.
Last week, Palmer said he wasn't ready to get into a game and take his first hit.
"He wants to make sure he can perform his job the way he knows how to perform it when he steps out onto the field," Lewis said Sunday. "He doesn't want to go out there before he feels like he is whole to do his job. That's a good thing. We have time, and I think that's what he's very conscious of."
Lewis declined to say whether Palmer could still play in the Sept. 10 opener at Kansas City if he sits out the Green Bay game.
Anthony Wright has started the first two preseason games in place of Palmer, with Doug Johnson next in line. Wright is expected to start against Kansas City if Palmer isn't ready.
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2006/football/nfl/specials/preview/2006/08/20/palmer.bengals.ap/index.html
The game against Green Bay on Aug. 28 is important for Palmer, who had reconstructive knee surgery seven months ago. Lewis has long maintained that Palmer needs to play the last two preseason games to be ready for the season opener.
Last week, Palmer said he wasn't ready to get into a game and take his first hit.
"He wants to make sure he can perform his job the way he knows how to perform it when he steps out onto the field," Lewis said Sunday. "He doesn't want to go out there before he feels like he is whole to do his job. That's a good thing. We have time, and I think that's what he's very conscious of."
Lewis declined to say whether Palmer could still play in the Sept. 10 opener at Kansas City if he sits out the Green Bay game.
Anthony Wright has started the first two preseason games in place of Palmer, with Doug Johnson next in line. Wright is expected to start against Kansas City if Palmer isn't ready.
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2006/football/nfl/specials/preview/2006/08/20/palmer.bengals.ap/index.html
