NFL notes: Cardinals QB Carson Palmer out for the season with torn ACL

Carson Palmer confirmed that he is out for the season after tearing his left ACL in Sunday’s win over St. Louis.

The injury comes with the 34-year-old quarterback playing some of the best football of his career on an Arizona Cardinals team that at 8-1 has the best record in the NFL.

“It’s not easy,” he said on Monday. “I’m not going to lie. I cried like a baby last night and I’m not an emotional guy.”

Palmer vowed that he would play again and hoped it would be for the Cardinals.

“It’s been such a fun year. That’s probably the toughest part,” he said.

The injury came two days after Palmer signed a three-year contract extension reportedly worth $50 million with $20.5 million guaranteed.

Coach Bruce Arians said Palmer should be back by late June or July. Surgery will wait for about two weeks while the swelling goes down. “It’s hard,” the coach said.

The injury is to the same knee that Palmer injured on the first pass of his first playoff game in January 2006. That injury was much more severe.

There was no contact when Palmer was hurt early in the fourth quarter on Sunday. He had stepped up to avoid blitzing safety Mark Barron.

The Cardinals trailed 14-10 when Palmer was hurt. Backup Drew Stanton came on to throw a 48-yard touchdown pass to rookie John Brown to give Arizona the lead, then the defense scored twice to wrap up the win.

No charges against McDonald

The Santa Clara County district attorney’s office has declined to file charges against San Francisco 49ers defensive lineman Ray McDonald in a felony domestic violence investigation stemming from his Aug. 31 arrest.

Prosecutors said in a release that they were unable to charge McDonald because of conflicting versions of what happened, a lack of verifiable eyewitnesses and a significant lack of cooperation by the alleged victim, McDonald’s fiancee.

NFLPA backs Peterson

The NFL Players Association has filed a grievance with the NFL to reinstate Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson.

The league began a review Thursday of his case under the personal conduct policy, but said Peterson would remain on paid leave until the process is completed.

The union, however, demanded Peterson be allowed to rejoin the Vikings immediately until any determination of any discipline.