A bad start to the season got worse for the Cardinals on Sunday when they lost quarterback Carson Palmer to a concussion during a 17-13 loss to the Rams.
Palmer left the game in the fourth quarter after his head slammed against the turf while he was being sacked by Aaron Donald and Eugene Sims and he was evaluated on the sideline briefly before returning to the locker room.
Coach Bruce Arians said after the game that Palmer is now in the concussion protocol and that the Cardinals will be “very, very careful” with him in the coming days. That diagnosis makes it likely that Palmer will miss the team’s next game as they face the 49ers on the road on Thursday night, leaving a short window for Palmer to get cleared.
Drew Stanton would start in Palmer’s place. He threw a pair of interceptions late in Sunday’s loss. Palmer was 23-of-36 for 288 yards, a touchdown and an interception while also losing a fumble.