Palmer questionable with knee injury, Kitna could start Sunday

A final decision might not be made until mid-week.
CINCINNATI (AP) -- Carson Palmer's knee injury isn't serious, but it could keep him on the sideline.
Tests found no tear in Palmer's anterior cruciate ligament on Monday. The Cincinnati Bengals quarterback was still on crutches, and he wore a brace on the left knee that he sprained during a 35-28 loss at New England.
Coach Marvin Lewis didn't rule out the possibility of Palmer playing Sunday against Buffalo, delaying a decision until midweek. Palmer was listed as questionable.
"Let's wait and see what happens," Lewis said.
Palmer's injury could clear the way for Jon Kitna to regain the job temporarily. Kitna hadn't taken a snap until Palmer got hurt on Sunday.
Kitna hopes it doesn't come to that.
"It would be really tough for me," Kitna said. "I really want to see Carson finish the year. I know how important that is as a quarterback to go out and finish what you started."
Palmer hot, Kitna cold
Palmer has come into his own lately, leading an offense that has piled up 450 yards for three consecutive games, a franchise first. He threw a career-high four touchdown passes in a 58-48 victory against Cleveland, then led a fourth-quarter comeback for a 27-26 win in Baltimore.
The 2003 Heisman Trophy winner was 18-of-24 for 202 yards and two touchdowns when he was hurt in the third quarter at New England. Richard Seymour tackled him by the legs on a pass, twisting his left knee.
Looking rusty on his first series of the season, Kitna threw an interception in the end zone that stalled the Bengals' comeback from a 35-14 deficit. His 27-yard touchdown pass to Kelley Washington got the Bengals to within seven points with 3:50 to go, but the Patriots ran out the clock.
Overall, Kitna was 9-of-13 for 126 yards.
Playoffs a fading dream
The loss in New England all but extinguished the Bengals' playoff hopes. They now trail five teams for the two wild card berths, including the Bills (7-6).
Cincinnati has to win its last three games for its first winning record since 1990, the last time it made the playoffs. The Bengals have finished 8-8 twice during their ongoing run as the NFL's most futile franchise.
Since the All-America Football Conference merged with the NFL for the 1950 season, only eight teams have gone 10 or more years without a winning record. The New Orleans Saints hold the distinction for long-term futility, failing to get a winning record in any of their first 20 seasons.
One more loss by the Bengals would stretch their streak to 14 years, matching Tampa Bay for the second-longest mark.