Bengals QB Palmer still considering surgery

Dec 18, 2008 - 7:23 PM CINCINNATI (Ticker) -- Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Carson Palmer is nearing a decision as to whether he will need "Tommy John" surgery to repair his throwing elbow.

The Cincinnati Enquirer reported Thursday that Palmer hopes to regain almost 100 percent of his throwing strength by next week.

The results of his practice sessions under those full-strength conditions will determine his next course of action.

"There is somewhat of a timeline (to decide on surgery)," Palmer told the newspaper. "I don't want to wait too long. Within the next couple weeks, I'll know.

"I don't want to wait until April, May and miss out on what's going to be going on. Within the next couple weeks, we should know. I'll have another MRI, and we'll check it out."

Palmer has what has been described as a frayed ligament in his right throwing elbow.

The two-time Pro Bowl selection suffered the injury in Week Three against the New York Giants when his arm was grabbed while he threw a pass.

The 28-year-old missed the following game and returned for the Bengals' October 5 contest with Dallas, but has not played since.

"I could tell in the first quarter of the Dallas game that something wasn't right," Palmer said. "I've been throwing a football since I was four. When something doesn't feel right, you know something unusual is going on in your arm. I knew it right away."

Palmer said most doctors he's consulted have advised against surgery.

"I was so leery to do the surgery because the feedback I got back was so negative because of the process of the rehab, the timing of the rehab and the success rate of the rehab," Palmer said. "So that's why I've been real leery of having to do it, and hopefully I don't have to do it.

"If we're going to gamble, it'd be on the surgery. The last thing I'd want to do is wait too long and have to have the surgery three months from now."