NFL: Palmer apologizes
Carson Palmer is sorry.
Sorry that he blew up at receiver Chad Johnson for running the wrong route. Sorry that he’s lost his cool during the Cincinnati Bengals’ awful start. Sorry that his easygoing temperament has failed him on the field.
Not that anyone blames him.
The Pro Bowl MVP has vented his anger in the last two games, something quite out of character for the laid-back quarterback from California. A 1-4 start will do that.
“I think everybody’s a little bit on edge around here,” Palmer said Thursday. “We have boards in the offensive and defensive rooms, and every time you look up at them and see our production and our record there, you’re just naturally on edge because you have such high expectations.”
Usually, Palmer is the club’s voice of reason during tough times. When things go bad, he acknowledges the problems and accepts a bigger share of the blame than necessary.
Two notable exceptions have drawn attention and prompted those apologies.
During a 34-13 loss to New England, Johnson ran the wrong route near the goal line late in the first half, when the Bengals had a chance to keep the game close. After Palmer’s throw was intercepted because Johnson wasn’t where he should have been, the quarterback berated him on the field.
Palmer was visibly angry again Sunday when his last throw was intercepted during a 27-20 loss at Kansas City. Palmer tried to get the ball to Johnson in a crowd, but the receiver slowed at the end of the route, setting up the interception.
Johnson allowed to practice
Suspended defensive tackle Tank Johnson will be allowed to practice starting today, which will be his first team session with the Dallas Cowboys since they signed him last month.
Johnson still has two games left on his eight-game NFL suspension for violating probation on a gun charge. Unless the suspension is reduced by commissioner Roger Goodell, Johnson will be eligible to play when the Cowboys play at the New York Giants on Nov. 11.
Johnson, who was released by the Chicago Bears after his suspension, signed with the Cowboys last month.
Chiefs set to activate Holmes
Priest Holmes went through another impressive workout and the Kansas City Chiefs appeared to be leaning toward activating the 34-year-old running back.
Attempting an improbable return to the NFL after being out for 22 months, Holmes had his first practice Wednesday and coaches said they would pay particular attention to how he did in his second practice.
“He was still fresh, wasn’t sore,” coach Herm Edwards said. “He went through practice, had a good practice.”
Around the league
First-year player Lorenzo Alexander wore the white jersey of the offense in practice this week, instead of his usual defense burgundy. A remarkable series of injuries has left the Washington Redskins in desperate need of offensive linemen for Sunday’s game against Arizona, so they’ve moved the 300-pound defensive tackle across the line of scrimmage and have made him a guard. … Quarterback Trent Dilfer will start for the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday against the New York Giants, though Alex Smith also will be in uniform. Coach Mike Nolan made his decision after watching two days of practice. Smith separated his right shoulder in a 49ers loss to Seattle on Sept. 30. … The Buffalo Bills announced they are seeking approval to play a preseason and at least one regular-season game in Toronto. It’s part of the franchise’s attempt to expand its market base beyond western New York.