Palmer pushes Bengals past Packers

CINCINNATI – Carson Palmer aced the test.

With a brace protecting his rebuilt knee, the Cincinnati Bengals quarterback took the hits, avoided the rush and threw three touchdown passes Monday night in his first game back from the injury.

By halftime of the 48-17 preseason victory over the Green Bay Packers, Palmer had convincingly made his case that he’ll be ready for the season opener.

“He hasn’t lost a thing,” right tackle Willie Anderson said. “He’s our leader, and he’s back. That’s got to make any Bengals fan feel real happy.”

Showing no hesitation to take a tackle or take off on a scramble, Palmer completed 9 of 14 passes for 140 yards and three touchdowns. It felt like old times at jubilant Paul Brown Stadium when he pointed his right index finger to the sky after his second touchdown.

“I can’t say I felt real emotional,” Palmer said. “It just felt like a business day, a chance to get some work in.”

Unless his knee swells in the next few days, Palmer will be on schedule to start in Kansas City on Sept. 10, his goal during a grueling comeback that had overshadowed the franchise since its playoff loss to Pittsburgh on Jan. 8.

“He dropped back, he rolled out, he got hit a few times, he had a chance to run the ball,” coach Marvin Lewis said. “He looked very good, very sharp. It’s still preseason, but it’s encouraging.”