Palmer: `Yeah, preparing to play' vs. Packers

After practice and a workout in the weight room this afternoon, Carson Palmer said, "Yeah, preparing to play, practicing to play, that's been part of the plan, part of the schedule. I'll see how I feel later in the week, but now I'm expecting to play."

With those words, the Bengals quarterback confirmed that the plan to have him play Aug. 28 in the third preseason game at home against Green Bay was on.

"I'll know later on this week," Palmer said when asked when he'll know for sure.

Asked, too, what the determining factor is, he said, "Mainly, physically, the thing we keep worrying about is swelling. As long as I don't have a bunch of swelling and a bunch of tenderness, I'll be ready to roll."

He said he has dealt with some swelling and tenderness since the start of training camp.

As for his confidence that he'll play, Palmer said, "I'm very confident. ... I'm going to prepare and plan to play, but it's not like I've been out that long. It's not like I sat out last year. It's been a regular offseason for me, as far as I haven't missed any games."