QB Carson Palmer headed back to Cincinnati for awkward reunion with Bengals

Andy Dalton has never spoken to Carson Palmer, the quarterback he replaced last year. Coach Marvin Lewis has limited interactions with his former franchise player to a few texts.

There's not a whole lot for the Bengals to say about their awkward reunion coming up Sunday.

Palmer brings his struggling Oakland Raiders to Paul Brown Stadium for a get-together that neither side really embraces. The Bengals mostly shrug when talking about their former leader. Palmer called it an exciting homecoming during a conference call with Cincinnati writers on Wednesday.

Cincinnati traded Palmer to the Raiders midway through last season.

For the Bengals, it's less about Palmer and more about the playoffs. They're 5-5 after winning their last two games, now only one game out of a wild-card spot.

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