TEMPE, Ariz. — On Monday, Arizona Cardinals coach Bruce Arians wouldn’t guess if quarterback Carson Palmer would play against Denver after missing the two previous games with a shoulder injury.

Asked if he had a gut feeling, Arians smiled and quipped: “I quit trusting my gut a long time ago. It’s been lying to me forever.”

It’s clear, however, that the bye week didn’t do wonders for Palmer’s ailing right shoulder. He has a damaged nerve and while the time off did him good, it didn’t work any magic on the injury.

Palmer did not throw in the small portion of Monday’s practice that was open to media. It was a contrast to last Wednesday’s practice, when he spent the open portion throwing passes of 10 yards or so.

“About the same,” Arians said of Palmer’s shoulder. “No real change in it. Hopefully, Carson will be throwing on Wednesday.”

If Palmer isn’t considerably better by Wednesday, Drew Stanton will make his third consecutive start.

The injury is frustrating for Palmer, and everyone else, because there is no timetable for his recovery. A high ankle sprain, for instance, might mean two to four weeks. The nerve in Palmer’s shoulder? It could be better Wednesday, or it might be a few weeks away.

“This is typically a trauma injury from car accidents. It’s not a typical football injury,” Palmer said. “I just happened to land on such a difficult spot. That’s why you have muscles surrounding nerves and bones.

“There isn’t any of that. I’ve never been in this situation before. I blew my knee out in the playoff game and missed some time. I haven’t been in this spot before, where you’re waiting to play. I wish I had a simple answer. I wish I knew. I just have to continue to rehab, and like I said, pray about it and hope it gets better.”

–QB Carson Palmer reported modest improvement in his right shoulder during the bye weekend. He threw little, if at all, in practice on Monday, and both he and coach Bruce Arians admitted they hoped Palmer would be further along at this point. It looks as if Drew Stanton will start a third consecutive game.

–G Paul Fanaika was the only player to miss all of Monday’s practice. He had his right knee and calf wrapped. Head coach Bruce Arians said Fanaika is expected to practice on Wednesday. On Monday, Ted Larsen moved from left guard to right and Jonathan Cooper played left guard.

–OLB Alex Okafor is expected to be ready to make his season debut in Denver. Okafor has been out since suffering a quadriceps injury before the first game. The team hopes Okafor can add an outside pass rusher. The second-year pro was impressive this offseason.

–RB Andre Ellington has been productive despite playing with a partially torn ligament in his foot. He should be healthier after a week off.

–TE Rob Housler should be ready to play this week after missing Week 3 with a hip injury. Housler, one of two starting tight ends, has caught the ball well so far this season.

REPORT CARD AT THE BYE

PASSING OFFENSE: B – The Cardinals haven’t been flashy but they have been efficient. And with a strong defense, that’s all they need from the passing game. Carson Palmer and Drew Stanton have four touchdown passes and have yet to have a pass intercepted. The protection has been good, too, with just six sacks. The depth at receiver is impressive, and the Cardinals are using it.

RUSHING OFFENSE: B – Just like the passing game, the statistics are not eye-popping. But they reveal efficiency: 317 yards in three games, a 3.9-yard average per rush. Starting running back Andre Ellington has been limited by a foot injury, which has meant fewer explosive plays. But the offensive line is blocking better than it has in a decade, and the Cardinals have been able to close out two of three games on the ground.

PASS DEFENSE: C-minus — The Cardinals have three interceptions but teams have been able to complete a high percentage (67.9) against them. The secondary has done a decent job. The biggest challenge is figuring out a way to get a consistent rush, especially from the outside. It will be a key to the rest of the season. Losing LB John Abraham (concussion) was a huge blow.

RUSH DEFENSE: A — This appears to be one of the best run defenses in the league, for the second consecutive year. The Cardinals are yielding an average of 71 yards a game and 2.9 yards a carry. That has forced opponents to pass, which plays into the Cardinals strength. The secondary has been able to make plays.

SPECIAL TEAMS: C — Two blocked punts kept this grade from being higher. Rookie Chandler Catanzaro has made all nine of his field-goal attempts, and Ted Ginn Jr.’s punt return broke open the game against the Giants. P Dave Zastudil should be able to play after missing all three games with a groin pull. He is excellent at placing the ball inside the 10-yard line.

COACHING: A – Coach Bruce Arians and staff have rolled out all the cliches: next man up, one at a time, etc. The key is, the players are buying into it. They really believe in the “next man up” mantra, and it’s helped the team survive significant losses. Arians and his coaches, especially defensive coordinator Todd Bowles, have been adept at making adjustments during a game. They have managed clock and other situations well.