Cardinals QB Carson Palmer making progress after concussion

ByJOSH WEINFUSS
October 4, 2016, 12:40 PM

— -- TEMPE, Ariz. -- Arizona Cardinals quarterback Carson Palmer made strides overnight?toward returning from a concussion, coach Bruce Arians said Monday.

Arians said Palmer "got better last night and improved" after suffering the concussion on Sunday afternoon, leaving open the possibility that Palmer could play Thursday night at San Francisco even if he doesn't practice all week.

But the team could be preparing a contingency plan. A source tells ESPN's Adam Schefter that the team will sign practice squad quarterback Zac Dysert to their active roster, a sign they have doubts about Palmer starting Thursday night.

Arians said Palmer, 36, wouldn't have to practice this week in order play against the 49ers as long as he's cleared by time the team's flight leaves for California on Wednesday. Arians added that Palmer doesn't typically practice on Wednesdays during a regular week so it wouldn't make a difference on a short week.

"It's not like they're doing something he hasn't seen before," Arians said, referring to the 49ers. "He'd be more than ready to go."

That's a change from what Arians said after Sunday's game, when he said Palmer probably would not play Thursday if he couldn't practice this week.

"From what I thought yesterday, I thought there was no chance," Arians said.

Palmer was scheduled to go through the physical activity portion of the "return-to-participation process" on Monday, Arians said.

"Nothing surprises me with these guys getting healthy anymore," Arians said.

Arians said he talked to Palmer and Palmer's wife, Shaelyn, on Sunday night, after the quarterback was knocked out of Arizona's 17-13 loss late in the fourth quarter with a concussion.

"He sounded good," Arians said. "I talked more to Shae, his wife, and he sounded fine. He said, 'I'm OK, don't worry about it.' And that's about it."

ESPN's Adam Schefter contributed to this report.?