NFL Notes: Cardinals, Jets, Panthers, & Texans

Cardinals

• Cardinals HC Bruce Arians said he has become “more optimistic” that QB Carson Palmer (concussion) will be able to play in Week 5’s Thursday night game against the 49ers. (Darren Urban)
• Although Arians said Palmer is improving from his injury, he admitted the team will know more about his status by Wednesday. Arian added that Palmer is not required to practice this week in order to play on Thursday. (Mike Jurecki)
• Earlier in the day, Jason Cole of B/R reported that Palmer could miss an “extended time” with his concussion and that he is not expected to play in Thursday’s game.
• Cole’s sources insist that Arians will be “extra careful” with how he handles Palmer and that he could be out for a “longer” period of time, so this is clearly a situation to keep an eye on in the coming days.

Jets

• Jets HC Todd Bowles said he does not foresee any changes happening at starting quarterback, meaning Ryan Fitzpatrick will continue with the first team. (Ian Rapoport)
• Bowles also said that CB Darrelle Revis suffered a mild hamstring sprain but it’s too early to determine his status for Week 5 at this point in time.

Panthers

• Jason Cole of B/R reports that general managers around the NFL are questioning the Panthers’ use of QB Cam Newton as a runner after he sustained a concussion during Week 4’s loss to the Falcons.
• According to Cole, two GMs believe Newton is running “far too much” and he is taking too many hard hits. This leads Cole’s sources to wonder if the number of hits on Newton will begin catching up with him, similar to how it did for Michael Vick later on in his career.
• Cole notes that Newton is on pace to have over 100 rushing attempts for his sixth straight season.

Texans

• Ian Rapoport reports that Texans TE C.J. Fiedorowicz suffered an MCL sprain during Week 4 that could force him to miss an extended period of time.