Cardinals quarterback Carson Palmer took a rest day at practice Wednesday because of the short week.
Bruce Arians had said – a couple of times – how much the rest Carson Palmer got after suffering his concussion helped the quarterback when he returned against the Jets.
So it shouldn't have been a surprise that Palmer did not practice Wednesday, in a planned DNP.
There were reasons, given that the Cardinals still hadn't had 48 hours pass from their "Monday Night Football" win. Wide
receiver Larry Fitzgerald was supposed to have a rest day Wednesday himself, but a banged-up receiving corps made that unrealistic.
"They do such a good job controlling reps, whether it be in the weight room, conditioning with your running, or your throws during the week," Palmer said.
Arians said the Cardinals were already managing Palmer's throws at Wednesday practices anyway. The coach estimated Palmer had been making "a third of the throws" in those workouts.
But sitting out had nothing to do with the announced hamstring issue Palmer had at the end of the Jets game – Palmer said that night it was cramping – and the expectation is that he will be ready Sunday night against the Seahawks.
Palmer watched the practice from the side and took mental reps. He will also go through "practice" on the Cardinals’ Strivr virtual reality system as he does every day, noting that it won't be anything extra because "I watch every rep anyway."
Palmer also couldn't argue Arians' point that the previous rest had done him some good.
"There is no doubt, with the short week we had (around the 49ers game) and having all that time off, whether you are 36 or 26, you will feel great coming off that week," Palmer said.
IUPATI SHOULD BE BACK, THE BROWNS ARE HURTING
Guard Mike Iupati, who missed the Jets' game with an ankle injury, returned to practice. Arians was impressed, and
Iupati should return to the lineup Sunday. Iupati was officially limited, as was cornerback Justin Bethel (foot).
Wide receivers Jaron Brown (knee) and John Brown (hamstring) sat out, which is why Fitzgerald was forced to practice. After concern that Jaron Brown's injury was serious, he is walking around normally, and he is optimistic he will be available Sunday.
Defensive tackle Ed Stinson (toe) missed practice but Arians said he should return Thursday.
For the Seahawks, safety Kam Chancellor (groin) sat out. So did running back Thomas Rawls (fibula) and tight end Luke Willson (knee), neither of whom are expected to be ready this week.
ARIANS IN FAVOR OF EXPANDED REPLAY
Arians, who is a member of the NFL's competition committee, is in favor of the idea of being able to use replay for all plays. That includes pass interference, a notion in the news this week after an apparent missed call on Seahawks cornerback Richard Sherman interfering with Falcons wide receiver Julio Jones on a fourth-down play in the waning seconds of Seattle's 26-24 win.
Arians said he thought it was an "obvious missed call." He had said in the past, however, he was with Patriots coach Bill Belichick in the idea that replay should be expanded.
"I did vote yes on that," Arians said.
Will it ever pass?
"It's gaining steam," Arians said.