If anything can be gleaned from their 26-14 loss at the New York Jets yesterday, it’s that the Cincinnati Bengals really, really, need their star QB back. Suffering from an elbow injury that has sidelined him for two games so far this year, Carson Palmer has announced that he will take desperate measures to fix the problem by meeting with a New York Mets team doctor before he leaves the Big Apple.

Will the good doctor will prescribe whatever it is that’s made the Mets such clutch performers during the past two Septembers? Bengals fans had better hope that won’t be the case.

Palmer said after the Bengals lost 26-14 to the New York Jets on Sunday that he would remain in New York to be examined by Dr. David Altchek. Palmer was designated as the third quarterback for the game behind Ryan Fitzpatrick and Palmer’s brother Jordan, the second game this season he has missed with the elbow injury.

“I’ll play whenever they give me clearance,” said Palmer, who injured his elbow against the New York Giants three weeks ago, missed a game against the Browns, then played against Dallas last week. He said he had been told that his injury is the kind common to baseball pitchers, one reason he decided to consult Altchek.

Run! Run, Carson, Run! Altchek is the doctor that kept the Mets’ bullpen in tip-top shape this year, healthy enough to blow 30 saves. In fact, he kept the Mets so healthy they were able to blow a September lead and miss the playoffs for a second straight year. Altchek might inject Palmer with the same shot of loser that’s been a mainstay on the Mets’ training table for two seasons, with a schedule of elevated doses in the Fall.

If you were a Bengals fan, wouldn’t you feel a lot better if Palmer was visiting a doctor for the New York Yankees? Maybe one who worked there between 1996 and 2000?

Bengals QB Palmer to consult Mets doctor about elbow injury [Sports Illustrated]
Image [Sportsfrog.com]