Palmer dropped back to No. 3

CINCINNATI (AP) -- Carson Palmer's rookie season is turning into the NFL equivalent of a redshirt year.

The Heisman Trophy quarterback has been dropped back to No. 3 on the Cincinnati Bengals' depth chart, meaning he would only get into a game in an emergency.

The No. 1 overall pick in the draft hasn't played a snap -- Jon Kitna has taken every one this season -- and may not take any if the Bengals stay in playoff contention.

It's a dramatic change from the original plan.

"I wouldn't dream of that, but I thought it might happen, especially once we started getting hot a couple of weeks ago and with the way Jon's been playing all year," Palmer said. "I thought if he keeps doing this, I'm not going to get a shot to play.

"That's not what I wanted and what I expected, but that's what's happening."

Everyone thought that it was only a matter of a few games before Palmer would know the offense well enough to take over for Kitna, who had a history of throwing game-turning interceptions.

When the Bengals started 1-4, first-year coach Marvin Lewis promoted Palmer from third-string quarterback to No. 2, the next step in the expected progression. The only thing between Palmer and the starting job was a few more losses or an injury to Kitna.

Instead, Kitna went on the best streak of his career, leading the Bengals (7-6) into playoff contention for the first time since 1990. Kitna has played so well that he was honored as the AFC's offensive player of the month for November. He has also been durable, the only quarterback in the league to take every snap.

Before a first-place showdown in Baltimore last Sunday, Lewis decided to promote 10-year veteran Shane Matthews to the backup job, figuring his experience would be more beneficial in a high-stakes game if Kitna got hurt.

"It's just for where we are in the season, the weather and so forth," Lewis said. "I have to do what's best for our football team, as far as if something were to happen. There's nothing to read into it. Carson has been great. Nothing has changed that way."

A 31-13 loss dropped the Bengals one game behind the Ravens in the AFC North with three to play. Palmer expects to remain No. 3 as long as the Bengals remain in contention.

"When you get an opportunity to be in the playoffs, you want to go with experience over a rookie," Palmer said. "If something happened, I'm out there trying to get my feet wet in a game that has playoff implications. You'd rather go with a guy like Shane who's been in this league for a long time, which makes sense to me."

All three quarterbacks have handled the situation without complaint. Palmer said Lewis has been candid and stayed true to his word on how he would handle the position.

"He speaks his mind," Palmer said. "He's been consistent with whatever he says. I trust the guy."

If the Bengals fall out of contention, Palmer most likely would get a chance to play in one of the final games. If not, he'll have gone an entire season without making his debut.

The Bengals originally planned to get Palmer playing time during the season, so he could get some of the inevitable rookie mistakes out of the way and come into next season with experience. Their unexpected success in Lewis' first season has pushed back the timetable.

"I really don't think it affects me that much," Palmer said. "The thing that affects me is I'll be going into next year with no experience."

With Kitna playing so well, Lewis is considering letting the two quarterbacks compete for the starting job in training camp next year. Palmer has the stronger arm, but Kitna knows the offense much better and has become the team's acknowledged leader.

Palmer said his rookie season hasn't been a waste, even if he never plays.

"I never thought I'd learn as much as I have, seeing Jon win games and lose games and play great and play in this offense as well as you can," Palmer said. "I've learned a lot. I've seen a lot."

He just hasn't played at all.