Cardinals expect Palmer, Minter back this week

By foxsports
Published

TEMPE, Ariz. -- Arizona Cardinals coach Bruce Arians says he expects quarterback Carson Palmer to pass the last stage of the concussion protocol on Tuesday.

That indicates Palmer could be back for next Monday night's home game against the New York Jets.

Palmer was injured when his head slammed to the ground on a sack by Aaron Donald late in Arizona's 17-13 home loss to the Los Angeles Rams on Oct. 2. He sat out Thursday night's 33-21 victory over the San Francisco 49ers while backup Drew Stanton filled in.

Speaking at his regular Monday news conference, Arians said he expects inside linebacker Kevin Minter to pass the protocol Tuesday as well. Minter sustained what Arians has called a "mild" concussion in the 49ers game.

The Cardinals also released quarterback Zac Dysert, another sign that Palmer is expected to return, and signed guard/tackle Martin Wallace. Wallace was released by the Chicago Bears on Aug. 28.

Arizona lost starting guards Evan Mathis and Mike Iupati with ankle injuries in the 49ers game. Mathis was placed on injured reserve.

Arians said it was "very good news" that Iupati has a sprained ankle when initially it was feared to be worse. Arians said he didn't know when Iupati will return.

John Wetzel and Earl Watford took over the guard spots against San Francisco and will be in those positions with the starting group when the players resume practice on Wednesday. Wetzel, normally a tackle, hadn't played guard since training camp.

"He gets a game ball," Arians said. "It was huge, not having practiced it even for a while. I thought he stepped up as big as anybody has in a couple years."

The coach said rookie lineman Cole Toner is "more than ready" to make his first NFL appearance.

Mathis, in his 12th season, was signed in part to guide right tackle D.J. Humphries in his first season of NFL action. Humphries, a first-round draft pick in 2015, was inactive for every game last season.

"I think D.J. has grown so much and has learned so much from Evan throughout OTAs this summer that he can handle it on his own now," Arians said.