Palmer gets 80 percent of practice snaps

GEORGETOWN, Ky. -- The comeback of Carson Palmer took another step forward this morning, when the fourth-year quarterback took 80 percent of the practice snaps.

The increase came at Palmer's request and after doctors and medical staff were consulted to see if his surgically reconstructed knee could handle the workload -- which is now doubled compared to the 40 percent of snaps Palmer was taking during the first week of camp. "We increased Carson's snaps," coach Marvin Lewis said. Said offensive coordinator Bob Bratkowski, "That's a good sign."

Palmer said his left knee feels better and stronger each day, though it might not show. Palmer excited a surprisingly large crowd this morning when he rolled out and scrambled 15 yards down the far sideline when his receivers were covered. "Even when I open it up it's not real fast," Palmer said.

Asked if he would start Sept. 10 in the opener at Kansas City, Palmer said, "That's the long-term goal. Now it's about practicing every day." Palmer will not practice tonight, keeping with his routine of going once a day. He will, however, be working out on his strength and overall conditioning. Lewis was evasive when asked if Anthony Wright had won the No. 2 quarterback job over Doug Johnson. "Not for you," Lewis said when asked if he had made his decision. Wright took the live snaps in practice that Palmer did not. Lewis did Palmer would not play in the preseason opener Sunday night against Washington at Paul Brown Stadium. Wright is expected to start, based on practice workload and the value of his contract compared to Johnson's.