Trojans in the NFL: Carson Palmer leads Arizona Cardinals to victory

Arizona Cardinals quarterback Carson Palmer returned to familiar territory on Sunday.

Palmer, who spent two seasons with the Oakland Raiders before he was traded to the Cardinals, completed 22 of 31 passes for 253 yards and two touchdowns with an interception in a 24-13 victory over the Raiders at the O.co Coliseum.

“It’s a great environment to play in,” Palmer told reporters after the game. “It is great to play when you are wearing silver and black and it’s a fun place to play as an opponent.”

It was the former USC quarterback’s second consecutive victory since returning from a shoulder injury.

In three games, Palmer has completed 74 of 112 passes for 807 yards and six touchdowns, with an interception.

Smith leads Seahawks’ defense

Linebacker Malcolm Smith has had a quiet season for the Seattle Seahawks since his Super Bowl MVP performance last February.

But in a 28-26 defeat by the St. Louis Rams at Edward Jones Dome, Smith led the Seahawks with 10 tackles.

Smith has 19 tackles and a forced fumble.

Bush battling injury

Detroit Lions running back Reggie Bush, inactive last week because of an ankle injury, returned to the lineup in a 24-23 victory over the New Orleans Saints on Sunday at Ford Field.

Bush rushed for 10 yards in four carries and caught five passes for 22 yards, but he was sidelined in the second half because of ankle soreness.

“He was still kind of nursing his injury a little bit,” Lions Coach Jim Caldwell told reporters. “It bothered him a couple of times, but he gutted it out and kept working through it.”

Bush has rushed for 171 yards and a touchdown in 49 carries.

Kennard makes impact on defense

New York Giants rookie linebacker Devon Kennard played significant minutes in a 31-21 loss to the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium.

Kennard made four tackles after starter Jon Beason was sidelined because of an injury.

A fifth-round pick, Kennard has been limited because of a hamstring injury.

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