DaytonDailyNews.com

CINCINNATI — The Bengals are willing to give quarterback Carson Palmer every chance to come back and play this season.

Palmer injured his right throwing elbow against the New York Giants on Sept. 21 and hasn't played since Oct. 5 at Dallas. Ryan Fitzpatrick will start his fifth straight game on Sunday, Nov. 16, against the visiting Philadelphia Eagles.

"(Palmer) still wants the opportunity to play or we would not keep him on the 53-man roster," head coach Marvin Lewis said. "He's following the time frame that he's been given by the doctors of what to do, and the rehab, to allow it to continue to heal so that it doesn't become an issue that flares up ever again."

Sack masters

The Eagles have 28 sacks, and a trio of defensive ends — Darren Howard (6), Juqua Parker (5) and Trent Cole (4) — lead the parade.

Cole, a former University of Cincinnati star from Xenia High School, was a fifth-round draft pick in 2005.

"They blitz a lot of different people," Bengals left tackle Levi Jones said.

Oh, those Titans

Defensive end Antwan Odom signed with the Bengals as an unrestricted free agent from the Tennessee Titans. His former team is 9-0 while his current team is 1-8.

"I'm beginning to think I'm a little bad luck," Odom said.

Any regrets about not re-signing with the Titans?

"Nah, you can't look back," he said. "You just make your decisions and go on."

Gaining confidence

Left guard Andrew Whitworth said the offensive line is gaining confidence in Fitzpatrick.

"We're comfortable with him," he said. "We always have been, but it's about all of us getting on the same page and getting our understanding together. We played well against Jacksonville and we've got to continue it."

Number's game

Free safety Chris Crocker joined the Bengals on Oct. 30 and was assigned uniform number 42. He wanted 25, but it belongs to Jamar Fletcher.

"I've got (49ers hall-of-fame safety) Ronnie Lott's number with (Jaguars wide receiver) Dennis Northcutt's body."

Roster move

Cornerback Geoffrey Pope cleared waivers and was signed to the practice squad. He replaces fullback J.D. Runnels, who was cut Tuesday.