It appears Carson Palmer won't play Thursday night in Pittsburgh and will miss playing against the Steelers for a second time this season with his inflamed throwing elbow. Head coach Marvin Lewis said Monday he'll continue the same rehab, which hasn't involved throwing.
In his day-after news conference, Lewis said it was too soon to tell if left tackle Levi Jones (leg) and left guard Andrew Whitworth (ankle) could play after both struggled physically Sunday. He did indicate that he wouldn't be adverse to rookie left tackle Anthony Collins making his first NFL start against a Steelers defense that rang up seven sacks against them last month.
He said Collins wasn't active for the first time this season Sunday because he opted to have a backup center for virtually the first time this season and dressed Andrew Crummey.
Safety Chinedum Ndukwe, struggling with planter fasciitis, tore it in the first quarter Sunday and didn't return with an extremely sore foot. Lewis said the fact that he naturally tore it instead of having surgery means Ndukwe could be back but he would have to be questionable at best with the soreness complicated by the quick turnaround.
Lewis also said that wide receiver Antonio Chatman is to be released from University Hospital later Monday after getting wheeled off the field Sunday strapped to a board with a cervical injury. X-rays were normal and Chatman has use of his limbs but he's probably not going to play Thursday.
After watching the tape, Lewis reiterated he's glad he didn't challenge right end Frostee Rucker's recovered fumble that got whistled down at the Eagles half-yard line.
He's also not for changing the overtme rule to playing until there is a winner. Not with his team playing again in 96 hours, now quickly 72.
"Both teams played enough," he said.
