Tempe, Ariz. • The Arizona Cardinals have placed quarterback Carson Palmer on injured reserve after he underwent surgery for a broken left arm.
The move means Palmer would not be able to play until the next-to-last game of the season, Dec. 24 at home against the New York Giants. That's followed by the season finale at Seattle on Dec. 31.
Palmer turns 38 on Dec. 27 and there would seem to be no need for him to return this season at all if the Cardinals are well out of the playoff picture that late in the season.
Palmer's longtime backup Drew Stanton will start Arizona's next game, Nov. 5 at San Francisco. Blaine Gabbert moves up to the backup quarterback role. The team has a bye this week.
Palmer was injured in last Sunday's 33-0 loss to the Los Angeles Rams in London.