Palmer may have to pack it in

Bengals quarterback Carson Palmer will rest this week while getting more medical opinions on a sore passing elbow that could sideline him beyond Sunday's game against the Steelers.

His two Pro Bowl receivers, T.J. Houshmandzadeh and Chad Ocho Cinco, think he ought to pack it in for the season.

Palmer will miss his third game because of the elbow, injured when his arm was hit as he threw a pass during a 26-23 overtime loss to the Giants Sept. 21. He played against the Cowboys two weeks later, but had to back off because the injury limited his ability to make certain throws.

Former Harvard quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick replaced Palmer in last Sunday's 26-14 loss to the Jets. Palmer stayed behind in New York after the game and got a second opinion from Dr. David Altchek, who works with the Mets. Altchek agreed with the Bengals that a cautious approach was best.

The injury involves a tendon in Palmer's elbow. The quarterback has said it could take up to two months for the injury to heal completely.

"I think the issue with [Palmer] is a lot more serious than playing this year," Ocho Cinco said. "We're talking about his career in general. If it means sitting out this year or play another 20 or who knows how long he'll be able to go, I think it'd be in his best interests to sit out."

Houshmandzadeh agreed, saying it would be best for the team long term to rest Palmer for the remainder of the season.

"I would agree with that," Houshmandzadeh said. "Whether that will happen, I'm not sure. Carson wants to play; he's a veteran. But it would be the smart thing to do."

Romo says he's ready

Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo informed coaches he is ready to play Sunday against the Rams despite a broken pinkie finger on his throwing hand, according a report on ESPN.com. He suffered the injury in a 30-24 loss at Arizona Sunday, and Dallas's medical staff said he would miss a month. The injury did not require surgery. Romo did not practice but did throw on the side with his fractured pinkie in a splint . . . Lawrence Tynes, who has been sidelined since training camp with an injured left knee that required arthroscopic surgery, will replace John Carney as the Giants kicker against the 49ers Sunday . . . Steelers running back Willie Parker was held out of practice after aggravating the sprained medial collateral ligament in his left knee.

Manning hid surgery

Colts quarterback Peyton Manning kept quiet about his second knee surgery because he thought it would give opponents an advantage. The two-time league MVP answered questions about the surgery, two days after coach Tony Dungy confirmed Manning needed two surgeries to clear the bursa sac infection in his left knee. "The reason I just didn't really confirm or deny it the first time was I just didn't really want the Bears to know they were playing against a guy that was four weeks off of surgery," he said. "I know if I was playing against a corner that was four weeks off of surgery, I would definitely test out how good that surgery was in a game. So I just didn't think it was fair to reveal that information." . . . Browns tight end Kellen Winslow, hospitalized last week with an undisclosed illness, remains at home under doctors' orders and coach Romeo Crennel offered no timetable for the Pro Bowler's return . . . Defensive tackle John McCargo failed his physical, voiding the trade that sent him from Buffalo to the Colts and sending his rights back to the Bills. The Buffalo News, citing two league sources, reported on its website that the Colts found a bulging disk in his back . . . With Joseph Addai (hamstring) out for Sunday's game against the Ravens, the Colts re-signed former Harvard running back Clifton Dawson, who played with the Colts last season before being cut in August.

Gonzalez not bitter

Tight end Tony Gonzalez held a players-only meeting with his teammates to assure them he's not bitter the Chiefs failed to trade him to a contender. The nine-time Pro Bowler acknowledged, however, he first felt "betrayed" that the Chiefs had not made a deal before the trade deadline Tuesday. "Initially, yes," he said. "I thought, 'I can't believe this. It's a lie.' But then the more I think about it, the more I calm down." . . . Bills defensive end Aaron Schobel wore a protective boot on his injured left foot while watching practice from the sideline. The status of the team's top pass rusher is uncertain for Buffalo's game Sunday against San Diego . . . The Chiefs agreed to a one-year contract with linebacker Rocky Boiman, who has played in 86 games for Tennessee and Indianapolis . . . The Vikings, trying to add depth to their linebacking corps, gave a physical to former starter Napoleon Harris, who came to Minnesota in the Randy Moss trade with Oakland in 2005 . . . Former Chargers defensive lineman Chris Mims was found dead in his Los Angeles apartment. Police say the 38-year-old Mims was discovered shortly before 9:30 a.m. by officers conducting a welfare check. Police said there was no evidence of foul play.