Posted: 5:25 p.m.
Over his objections, the Bengals medical staff recommend that quarterback Carson Palmer not play Sunday against the Browns with his inflamed right elbow and the hope is he can play next week in Dallas.
After they both told the media Friday that Palmer would be ready to play, Lewis told Palmer on Saturday night that he wouldn't go given the "what-if" health concerns.
Palmer, who said he hurt it last Sunday against the Giants when he was hit as he threw in the game's first minutes, said he hopes it's not a long-term issue.
 Palmer |
Then he said, "I'm not going to comment on everything."
All indications are it's not a structural problem with ligament or tendon damage.
"You never let the player make the decision," Palmer said. "That's why (Dr.) Angelo Colosimo and the great training staff we have gets the big bucks to make the big decision.
"I'm not professional when it comes to medical stuff. Of course you always want to play and I wanted to play. It was just decided that today wasn't the day and hopefully I'll be able to play in Dallas next week."
Palmer practiced Wednesday and Thursday and apparently felt discomfort at some point.
At 0-3, Lewis said it wasn't difficult to think long-term and end Palmer's streak of 51 straight regular-season starts.
"He has a long time ahead of him," Lewis said.
Backup Ryan Fitzpatrick took all of Friday's snaps, but felt he might play after talking to Palmer on Saturday night.
"Carson is an iron man. He'll get dinged up in games, but you never know it," Fitzpatrick said. "He never misses a lift even if he's sore. He never misses a practice. it was a little surprising after practicing on Wednesday and Thursday when they told him they were going to rest him on Friday. It certainly wasn't what he wanted to do, but we'll see how he's progressed."
