Palmer Gets Good Evaluation

Quarterback Carson Palmer received another good evaluation on his healing collarbone and might be allowed to begin light throwing in two weeks, although a decision on whether he’ll return this season is still several weeks away.

“I don’t have to wear a brace anymore. Everything’s going well,” said Palmer, who is eager to return in time to play against UCLA on Nov. 20.

Coach Paul Hackett said he’ll be “conservative” about the decision, but said team orthopedist James Tibone was encouraged.

“There’s more formation of the bone. They’re kind of excited. I would say he’s ahead of schedule,” Hackett said.

Hackett’s thinking on whether Palmer should return might be influenced in part by his experience with the Kansas City Chiefs, where quarterback Elvis Grbac returned from a broken collarbone in seven weeks.

“There’s no way you can physically train, and he wasn’t in shape,” Hackett said. “He was exhausted at the end of that playoff game. He scrambled on one play, and then was totally exhausted for the next.

“A lot of things will make me think really long and hard. Carson and I will sit down, and we’ll do the right thing.”

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Receiver R. Jay Soward, who has a strained hamstring, didn’t practice but caught a few balls and will be available for the game. Freshman Marcell Allmond will take his place in the starting lineup, however, because of Hackett’s no-practice, no-start rule.

Allmond will become the third freshman to start at receiver this season along with Steve Stevenson and Kareem Kelly.