Arizona Cardinals quarterback Carson Palmer is expected to start against Washington on Sunday, according to Ian Rapaport of NFL.com. He has missed every game since Week 1 and the Cardinals have started Drew Stanton and Logan Thomas in the interim. While the Cards are 3-1, their offense has taken a hit.
Carson Palmer expected to be under center to help fantasy owners all around
The Cardinals quarterback finally returns. We break down the fantasy implications.
Christian Petersen
Palmer threw for 304 yards in Week 1, but Stanton averaged just 176.3 yards and Thomas had just 81 yards against the Broncos last week -- his only completion was an 81-yard touchdown on eight attempts. Consequently, the production of receivers Michael Floyd and Larry Fitzgerald took major hits.
With Palmer back, the Cards should be able to get their aerial attack going. Washington has been atrocious on defense since the losses of cornerback DeAngelo Hall and safety Duke Ihenacho, allowing 43 points per game to fantasy receivers in the last three weeks. They are also dead last in the NFL for fantasy points allowed to fantasy quarterbacks.
Fantasy impact: It’s still going to be tough to start Palmer, even in a 16-team league, but Floyd and Fitzgerald owners should have much more confidence. Floyd is a top-15 receiver while Fitz is more of a top-25 guy in this friendly matchup.
