The Rehab of Carson Palmer

SI Staff | May 24, 2006

The Rehab of Carson Palmer /

The Rehab of Carson Palmer

Carson Palmer had a 101.1 passer rating in 2005 and led Cincinnati to an AFC Central crown. He entered the AFC divisional playoffs against Pittsburgh with high hopes of beating his divisional rival and taking the Bengals to the Super Bowl.

Kimo von Oelhoffen rolled into Carson Palmer's knee right after the Bengals QB tossed a 66-yard pass to Chris Henry.

Although no one knew the full extent of the damage at the time, Palmer tore his left anterior cruciate ligament, shredded his medial collateral ligament, dislocated his kneecap and damaged cartilage and tissue in his knee. The Bengals lost 31-17.

Palmer underwent surgery on Jan. 10 and almost immediately began the rehab process.

Palmer has been jogging on a treadmill in a pool to take the body weight off his knee as he works out..

The Bengals' coaching staff and players have repeatedly told the media that they are confident Palmer will be ready for the beginning of the season, despite the severity of his injury.

Palmer is using his goal of being on the field for the Bengals' Sept. 10 opener as motivation for his grueling rehab.

According to every report, Palmer is rehabbing at a remarkable pace and already throwing with power. Based on his work so far, it's hard not to believe his claim that he'll be ready by the beginning of the season.

Published May 24, 2006

SI STAFF