Oct 12th 2008 12:23PM by Ryan Wilson (author feed)
Filed under: Bengals, NFL Fans, NFL InjuriesAs we all eagerly await Ryan Fitzpatrick’s encore performance, Bengals quarterback Carson Palmer will continue to rehab his sore throwing elbow.

But here’s the thing: what if Cincinnati continues to play like a bunch of armless drunks, what should they do with Palmer? FOXSports.com’s John Czarnecki pipes up: The big news is that Carson Palmer and his tender throwing elbow is sitting this one out, and you have to wonder if the Bengals keep losing will they opt to sit Palmer permanently rather than risk further damage? Um, it’s only Week 6. Yeah, the Bengals are 0-5, but if Palmer’s healthy, why wouldn’t he play? Isn’t shutting him down for the season with, say, eight weeks to go not the same as Palmer announcing he’s quitting on his team? I mean, if Chad Javon Ocho Cinco decided to take the next four months to completely recover from his shoulder injury, he’d undoubtedly be labeled a selfish, loud mouth.

And that very well may be true, but he’d be no less a quitter than Palmer if that’s what head coach Marvin Lewis decided to do with his franchise quarterback. Now, in terms of the postseason, it doesn’t matter who’s under center — the Bengals aren’t going anywhere come January — but it’s still important for Palmer to be on the field if he’s able to go. For an organization full of distractions, Palmer is one of the few steadying influences.

And, frankly, Chris Henry needs a mentor.