Carson Palmer breaks arm, Cardinals shut out vs. Rams

Shalise Manza Young
·Columnist

It’s been a strange season for the Arizona Cardinals. Over the first six weeks of the season, they alternated losses and wins, coming into this week 3-3, with two of those wins coming in overtime.

Last week, the Cardinals looked like a new team: newly acquired running back Adrian Peterson had a vintage game with over 100 rushing yards, and the offense had a season-high 432 total yards and season-best 38 points in their win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Maybe it’s something about the odd-numbered weeks.

Cardinals quarterback Carson Palmer is sacked during the first half of Sunday’s game with the Los Angeles Rams. (AP)
Cardinals quarterback Carson Palmer is sacked during the first half of Sunday’s game with the Los Angeles Rams. (AP)

On Sunday, the Cardinals were shut out by the Los Angeles Rams, 33-0, the first time Arizona hasn’t scored in a game since Dec. 9, 2012 against the Seattle Seahawks.

But they also played much of the game without starter Carson Palmer, who suffered an injury to his lower left (non-throwing) arm in the first half. With just under six minutes to play in the second quarter, Palmer was crushed by Rams linebacker Alec Ogletree as he let go of the ball.

Lamarcus Joyner easily intercepted the off-target pass.

Palmer did not return to the game, leaving Drew Stanton, who arrived at Twickenham Stadium in London dressed like Supergirl, to take over.

And Stanton may be the starter for a while: Cardinals coach Bruce Arians told reporters that Palmer suffered a broken arm and will undergo surgery; he’ll be out for around eight weeks.

Arians also said that Stanton will start Arizona’s next game, against San Francisco, though it’s unclear if he will remain the starter beyond that game.

The Cardinals also have Blaine Gabbert on the roster.

Stanton completed just five of 14 passes against Los Angeles for 62 yards. He was sacked twice and intercepted once. Stanton started one game for the Cardinals last season, also against the 49ers. Arizona won, but Stanton was 11-for-28 for 124 yards, though he had two touchdowns and no interceptions.

This also could mark the end of Palmer’s career, or at least his time with the Cardinals; he will turn 38 on Dec. 27, and the team can opt out of his contract after this season.

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